Isn't it interesting how our Lord perceives us? If we read the full story of the lost sheep (which is told in the gospels of Matthew and Luke), we glimpse Jesus' tenderness and protectiveness toward us, the sheep of his flock, his little ones. We glean real insight into his esteem for each of us: He values each one of us so much that even when we stray from him, he seeks us out, putting all others aside as he does.
As disciples of Jesus, we are called to seek out fellow disciples who have gone astray.* That is Matthew's message here. We are responsible to each other. We are Jesus' legs, arms, voice and heart in this life.
And so, we pray for the grace to find the lost and invite them back. We pray for the courage to leave all else aside as we search for them. We lean deeply into the Holy Spirit and rely on the intercession of the angels and saints as we ask for their help and protection. We ask for the heart of Jesus for the lost, the same burning desire to find them, and the words to encourage them back to the flock.
Today, I will pray for clear awareness, sight for one who may be lost, Jesus' heart for that person, and for the chance to leave all else aside in search of one of the master's stray little ones.
Saint Pacifico of San Severino, who offered your sufferings for the conversion of sinners, pray for us.
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