99 Righteous Vs 1 Sinner

Gospel Thoughts

31st Week : Thursday

GOSPEL Lk 14:15-25

First Reading - Phil 3:3-8a

*99 Righteous vs 1 sinner*

*Will I be like a lost Sheep which realised the need of repentance*

*1) 99 : 1 equation is one sided equation*

There is no way to compare between these two. Since the equation shows two extremes in no way they will come to a equal level. 

In other words it is a equation which shows the dominance of one side, and the helplessness of another side

This equation from the world's point of view is very weak, since it shows to much of dominance of one side.

*2) 99:1 equation shows a very dominant character of a Human Being*

There is a natural tendency in most of the human beings to show  as righteous people.

99 represents a large crowd of people who think that they are right and need no changes in life. 

99 character is very powerful in all the human beings. Unless one realises that this character makes a person to think that one is self righteous, nothing can change ones life. 

*3) 99 followed the crowd mentality*

It is very clear, what was the crowd followed that became a norm their love life. 

In the 99 crowd there is no independent thinking. There is no reasoning, there is no questioning. One followed the other blindly. 

99 crowd had only one way of thinking. They could not think in a creative way. And they thought whatever they are doing that is the perfect and right thing

*4) 1 had the courage to make a difference*

Only out of 100, 1 had the courage to make a difference. 

It is true that in the process of making a difference, there was a major problem, and the sheep totally lost its way. But that is not the final thing. 

Even though it lost its way completely, it didn't lose itself or the master didn't allow the sheep to be lost. That is the greatness of the sheep as well as the shepherd.

*5) Without taking risk no changes comes*

1 sheep took the chance to travel the different way. It needed a tremendous courage for the same 

The risk was so high it was about to lose itself. But nothing happened to it. 

Instead happening something bad, in the final analysis, something great happened. This is the reward for taking the risk 

*6) Shepherd is with 1*

We see the shepherd with the 1 helping the sheep to find its way. 

When some one takes a risk to make a difference, and find himself lost on the way, the Master is always found to save oneself and to show the way. 

*7)  Am I with 99 or with 1*

1 makes a difference but 99 not

99 simply follow a crowd mentality, but 1 is not 

To follow 99 is easy, but to be in 1 needs courage and creative thinking 

In 99 no difference what so ever, but with 1 there is lot of difference

Where do I belong?

*99 or 1???*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*