REFLECTIONS TODAY
MATTHEW 18:1-5, 10, 12-14
The disciples approached Jesus and said, “Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?” He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said, “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me.
“See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father. What is your opinion? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine in the hills and go in search of the stray? And if he finds it, amen, I say to you, he rejoices more over it than over the ninety-nine that did not stray. In just the same way, it is not the will of your heavenly Father that one of these little ones be lost.”
REFLECTION
GO IN SEARCH OF THE STRAY. The second part of the Gospel contains the parable of the Lost Sheep. Sheep, though gentle, are also “stupid” as they follow almost blindly the shepherd or the “lead sheep” of the flock. There is constant danger that without proper guidance the sheep may stray or fall victims to ravenous animals. Now, the “good shepherd” leaves the flock in the safe hands of another shepherd to look for the lost sheep. Why does he care for one that is lost when he has ninety-nine? The apocryphal Gospel of Thomas says that the lost sheep is the largest; the shepherd, after he has gone to such trouble, says to the sheep, “I love you more than the ninety-nine.” The canonical Gospels do not make any distinction; the lost sheep is one of the many; it may even be sickly or stupid. Yet, in the eyes of the shepherd, every sheep counts.
In the eyes of Jesus and the heavenly Father, every person counts. Every person is special; every person is loved.
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me” (Ps 23:4).
SOURCE: “365 Days with the Lord 2018,” ST. PAULS Philippines, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 895-9701; Fax 895-7328; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.