Homily for December 10, 2019

The decision of the shepherd in today’s Gospel passage seems unrealistic or even foolish. He left ninety-nine sheep on the hillside and went off searching for one sheep that had wandered off and, perhaps, into danger. Why would the shepherd leave the rest of the flock untended and in danger, to go off in search of the lost one? Why would he risk the ninety-nine for the sake of one that went astray? The attitude of the shepherd is the opposite of that of Caiaphas the high priest “who had counseled the Jews that it was better that one man should die rather than the people.”

The shepherd in today’s parable did not share that practical outlook. The shepherd was an image of God, and indeed of the caring outlook of Jesus Himself. God in Jesus is concerned about the lost one. The LORD values each one of us; He calls each one of us by name; none of us is worthless in His sight. He cares equally for each one of us.

Let us pray that we may value ourselves and each other as much as the LORD values each of us. +