Gospel Thoughts
19th Week : Tuesday
GOSPEL Matthew - 18:1-5, 10, 12-14
Going in search of ONE is more important than to Remain with 99 : Why?
1) The Logic of 1 and 99
The Gospel passage highlights about importance of 1 Sheep which went astray than the 99 which remained at the safe place
The logic of Jesus is quite different from that of ours.
Jesus thinks about one which is more important for Him
We see that At least 99 are safe. So why to worry about one? If I lose 1 still 99 I have with me. So 99 becomes more important than the lost one. This is our logic
2) The Greatness of the Logic 1
In this logic the number becomes complete. There is a possibility of becoming the number complete that is number 100
In the logic of 1 there is a possibility of coming back the lost one. The lost one is always welcomed back and given its original place
The lost one is given a chance to reunite and to become the member of the lager group and to complete the group
3)The Weakness of 99 logic
The group becomes incomplete. No possibility of becoming the perfect and full number
The lost one has no chance to come back and reunite the group.
The lost one is left alone and no body thinks about the lost one
4) Jesus does not say 99 are not important
The very fact that Jesus goes in search of the Lost one, it does not mean that Jesus is neglecting the 99
It simply means even the lost one is also very important like the 99
Jesus does not want to lose even the one, which by its mistake goes away from the crowd.
5)Why Jesus leaves 99 and Goes in search of 1
The 99 are not in danger. They are in the safe place. So they can be left alone for some time
The lost one is in danger. It needs urgent help. Without the help, it can not survive. So it is very important to pay attention to the lost one
The lost one has lost the way. Even if it wants to come back it can not come back, since it has missed the way completely. So the shepherd needs to pay attention to the lost one
Since the Shepherd knows the strength of the lost sheep, He is in a better position to reach out to the sheep than others. So the Shepherd needs to pay attention to the Lost Sheep
6)Going away is the Nature of the Sheep
One can't blame the sheep for going away from the group
It is the nature of the Sheep to go away and to miss the way
Once the Shepherd is able to understand this He will not blame the Sheep rather he will be able to reach out the lost sheep in a better way
Jesus never blamed the lost sheep. He only went in search of it and when he found it he was so happy about it
7)The Nature of the Shepherd is to go in search of the Lost one
Going in search of the lost one is also one of the main missions of the Shepherd.
He can't sit quietly thinking that it is not His work
Since the sheep is prone to lose the way, He needs to be extra careful and alert about his work
The shepherd has a great joy in finding the lost one than simply remaining with the 99.
Going in search of the lost one gives a new experience to the shepherd and also it helps him to understand the value of the each and evey Sheep
Which logic do I want to follow 1 or 99
God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones
Fr Maxim Dsouza
Jeppu Seminary
Mangalore
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