REFLECTIONS TODAY The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus is being compared to the heart of a shepherd who goes out in search of the stray and the lost and brings them back to the safety of the sheepfold. As shepherd (as the Good Shepherd in John), Jesus guides his flock — the disciples — in the path of righteousness with his teaching and instructions, nourishes them with material food and with the bread come down from heaven, gives them comfort and security, renews their strength, and looks for the lost and the stray. As companion, Jesus protects them with his “staff” against those who would do them harm. As host, Jesus leads his followers to the “house of the Lord” to enjoy goodness and mercy in the heavenly banquet. Moreover, the heart of the shepherd is revealed in his readiness to lay down his life for his sheep. On Calvary, Jesus the shepherd becomes the “lamb of sacrifice” and from his pierced side (heart) flowed blood and water (Jn 19:34), the fountain of sacramental life in the Church. Gospel • Luke 15:3-7 Jesus addressed this parable to the Pharisees and scribes: “What man among you having a hundred sheep and losing one of them would not leave the ninety-nine in the desert and go after the lost one until he finds it? And when he does find it, he sets it on his shoulders with great joy 6and, upon his arrival home, he calls together his friends and neighbors and says to them, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you, in just the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance.” Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2022,” St. Pauls, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; Fax 632-895-7328; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.