“Then Jesus told them this parable: ‘Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent’” Lk 15:3-7
When a sheep leaves the flock, it can hardly survive. The sheep is unable to find its way by itself or to defend itself, so it can be eaten by a ferocious beast at any moment. Since the shepherd knows this very well, he hurries to find the lost sheep before something bad happens to it, leaving the other ninety-nine sheep in the open field.
Usually, a sheep that is driven away from the flock is weak or defiant. To find such a worthless sheep, the shepherd retraces his steps and searches through the hills and fields, leaving the other sheep alone that have obediently followed him. Thus, he makes every effort to find the lost sheep. Despite all the troubles, however, he does not feel angry or displeased at all; rather, he greatly rejoices when he finds the lost sheep and returns home with the heavy sheep on his shoulders. As he is very joyful and happy, he may probably whistle a tune on his way back home. So, when he arrives home, he has a joyful party to celebrate its return.
Like the defiant sheep, we were out of control, but we are now gathered together in the “sheep pen” of salvation through God’s love which the world is not worthy of. We must not forget the love of God who has cared so greatly for us who are nothing. We hope that you will all accomplish what truly pleases God this year without fail.