21 October 2010: Parable of the lost sheep

This parable completes that of the Good Shepherd. Jesus gave it in the form of a question to the Pharisees, “who murmured, ‘This man receives sinners and eats with them’. ‘Who among you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the desert and go after that which is lost until he finds it?’” (Lk 15:4)

Note the promptitude of the shepherd. He immediately hastens to seek the missing sheep. Consider the perseverance and solicitude with which he seeks it. Without taking time to eat, nothing discourages him: distance, accidents, or fatigue; never rests till he has recovered his dear sheep.

Has not God acted thus when we were miserable as to be separated from him by sin? Were we not promptly recalled by the voice of conscience, by the fear and trouble which he excited in our soul, until finally his grace triumphed over our resistance, and the deceits of the devil?

When the shepherd at last finds this sheep, he gently calls it to him. Far from punishing it, he caresses it and smiles to show he is not angry. Moved with compassion, seeing the sheep panting and exhausted, “He lays it on his shoulders rejoicing” (Lk 15:5); carries it back to the fold.

The Saviour of our souls pictures himself under this image of winning tenderness. This image is real. Every penitent sinner is a proof of it. From the moment he renounces sin, and makes the resolution of returning to God, the reproaches of his conscience cease, and remorse is silent.

He feels himself prevented and strengthened by a grace which is so abundant he is carried rather than work his way. Nothing now costs anything. What seemed impossible is made easy.

Coming home, he calls his friends saying, “Rejoice with me. I have found my sheep that was lost”. (Lk 15:6). Jesus continued: “I say to you even so will there be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just who need no repentance.” (Lk 15:7)

These wonderful words teach us to appreciate God’s infinite goodness and mercy towards the penitent sinner. They teach us also the injury to God and the harm we do to ourselves, when, recalling our past sins, we yield to discouragement, as if the pardon we received is doubtful.

Is this so? Acknowledge the fault. And if in future we are tempted to fall again, recall what Jesus Christ says: “our conversion has been a subject of joy in heaven among saints and angels” (Lk 15:10). This thought will affirm our confidence, and help us greatly to advance in perfection.

Ref: cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp652-4

On Pilgrimage to the Light that Never Sets

The Second Vatican Council (“Lumen Gentium”, 9) speaks of the pilgrim church, establishing an analogy with the Israel of the Old Covenant journeying through the desert.

The journey also has an external character, visible in the time and space in which it historically takes place. For the church “is destined to extend to all regions of the earth and so to enter into the history of mankind”, but at the same time “she transcends all limits of time and space”.

And yet the essential character of her pilgrimage is interior: through faith, by “the power of the Risen Lord”, in the Holy Spirit, given to the church, as the invisible Comforter ... (cf Jn, 14:26; 15:26; 16:7)

“Moving forward through trial and tribulation, the church is strengthened by the power of God’s grace promised to her by the Lord, so that moved by the Holy Spirit, she may never cease to renew herself, until through the cross she arrives at the light which knows no setting.”

Ref: cf “Pope John Paul II, Breakfast with the Pope”, 1984, 9

The Mercy of God

Leaf through holy Scripture and you will find constant references to the mercy of God. “Mercy fills the earth.” (Ps 32:5) “It extends to all his children” (Sir 18:12), and is “all around us” (Ps 31:10). It “watches over me” (Ps 58:11).

It “extends to the heavens” (Ps 35:8) to help us, and has been continually “confirmed” (Ps 116:2). “God in taking care of us as a loving father looks on us in his mercy” (Ps 24:7) that is “tender” (Ps 108:21), welcome as “rain-clouds” (Sir 35:26).

The life of Jesus Christ is a summary and compendium of the story of divine mercy: “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.” (Mt 5:7) On another occasion he said: “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” (Lk 6:36)

Many other scenes of the Gospel are his forgiveness of the adulterous woman, the parables of the prodigal son, of the lost sheep, of the pardoned debtor; the resurrection of the son of the widow of Naim (cf Lk 7:11-7).

How many reasons based on justice could Christ have found to work this great wonder! The only son of the poor widow had died, he who gave meaning to her life, he who could help her in her old age. But Jesus didn’t peform the miracle out of justice, but out of compassion, because his heart was moved by human suffering.

Ref: cf St Josemaria Escrivá, “Christ is passing by”, 7

Meditations on the Litany of Loreto

‘Ark of the Covenant’ -- Hesychius calls Mary ‘an ark more spacious than that of Noah’ where only two animals of every kind were received; but under the mantle of Mary the just and sinners find place.

This was one day revealed to St Gertrude for the way a multitude of wild beasts, lions, leopard, and the like, that took refuge under the mantle of Mary; and she not only did not drive them away, but with her benign hands caressed them, that they might not flee.

The animals that entered the ark remained animals; but sinners received under the mantle of Mary do not remain so. She is certain to make their hearts agreeable to God.

The Blessed Virgin told St Bridget, “However much a man may have sinned, if he returns to me with a real purpose of amendment, I am ready at once to receive him. Neither do I pay attention to the sins; but only to the good disposition in which he comes. I do not disdain to anoint and heal his wounds, for I am called and truly am the ‘Mother of Mercy’.”

O Mother of Mercy, ‘Remember that it has never been heard of in any age, that any sinner who had recourse to you was rejected by you’. I, a miserable sinner, have recourse to you and trust in you.

Ref: “The Glories of Mary.” In “Documentation Service”, V:325

Our Lady of Talan, near Dijon. — Ex moanmentis Divion. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; http://www.bethlehemobserver.com).

‘Notre Dame de Talan’ / Our Lady of Talan. Dijon, France. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm); (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html);(www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html).