The Joy of the Lost Found

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season: Nineteenth Week : Tuesday*

*Gospel : Mt 18:1-5, 10, 12-14*

*First Reading : Ez 2:8-3:4*

*Responsorial Psalm : Ps 119:14, 24, 72, 103, 111, 131*

*The Joy of the Lost Found*

*1) The Search for the Lost one*  

The Gospel of the day speaks about the search for the lost one 

One among 100  sheep is lost on the way. The Shepard leaves the 99 and goes in serach of the 1 

This shows the importance of the 1 sheep which is lost and also the love of the Shepherd for the lost one   

*2) The joy over the lost found*

We see a special joy in the heart of the Shepherd when he finds the lost sheep 

Once he finds the lost sheep, the sheep also becomes very dear to the Shepherd 

Some how the shepherd feels the special attraction and the love towards the lost sheep 

The shepherd also keeps a special watch on the lost sheep because he loves the lost sheep more than the other sheep 

*3) The realisation of the Value*

It is our experience that most of the time the value of the particular thing is realised when the thing is lost 

In the absence of the thing we realise its worth. That's why when we get back the lost thing, our joy becomes double

*4) Our life Experience*

Our life teaches us a very profound lesson with regard to this aspect 

Due to some accident when we lose our health, we suffer a lot 

But when we get back our health, we really feel happy because we realise its worth

*5) We are lost due to Sin*

Due to sin our position is just like the one sheep which lost the way 

As the shepherd seraches for the lost sheep, our Lord, the Good Shepherd searches us every day through various ways 

Various sacraments God's different ways through which our Lord searches us to find our way back to home  

*6) The Joy in Heaven*

The Joy experienced at the finding of the lost thing is not only experienced by the lost Sheep but also the Shepherd 

Jesus says *there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance.*

So heaven becomes more joyful than anyone else over finding the lost one  

*7) Our Joy, when we come back to God*

The joy we feel after we come back from the confessional, after our confession, will never be able to find in anything else in this world 

The joy which we feel when we accept our fault with true spirit, can never be bought by any amount of money in this world 

Blessed is the one who experiences this type of joy in ones life 

The Lost found joy is the greatest treasure which we can enjoy in our life 

Only the *Lost Found joy* can open the doors of eternal life 

What about the reality of *Lost Found Joy* in my life?

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*