Go to the Lost Sheep

Matthew 10:6

Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel

A local Church had a special service; everyone was to come dressed casual in their favorite athletic team’s attire. Everyone came in LSU or Saints shirts.  Except, one elderly lady who sat in the back of the church; she dressed in her Sunday best. She not the preacher had the attention of the Church. The reason she dressed like this she told her pastor was that this is the way you do Church.

Maybe this is the way we go to the lost sheep. In our town, people live under bridges and line up for free meals. In our own country babies are killed, human trafficking is growing, and people are suffering. Dignity is raked off the plate of humanity like so much garbage. People don’t know Jesus or have given up on God. We say a little prayer, we put money in the poor box, and we bring clothes to the drop box. We are proud of our works of charity. This is the way we go to the lost sheep, because it is the way it has always been done.

These are all admirable and needed works of charity; but, we are called to do more. Placating individuals by ignoring needs that call for social actions and service is not being true to the the Gospel. In our world, the Catholic faith and beliefs are being attacked daily. We are saving the world in the same old way but losing our sheep. Always remember, that Jesus sends us to find our lost sheep in our own country. Sometimes Jesus may ask us to do something different.

Prayer:

Lord of all, we are your lost sheep lost in the world and our own selfishness that makes everything important, but you.  Turn our hearts to the voice of Christ our Shepherd, so we return to you.  Amen