Lost and Found

Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

~~Exodus 32:7-11, 13-14 ~~Psalm 51~~1 Timothy 1:12-17~~Luke 15:1-32~~

 

Most of us have had the experience of losing something we valued.

The shepherd is missing one of his sheep.

The woman is missing one of her ten coins.

The father is missing one of his sons.

 

These loses are real and important to each of these individuals.

If they did not care they would never have experienced the anguish of loss.

The degree by which you miss something is connected

to the value it holds for you.

 

Sometimes what we are missing is not even visible.

Sometimes we are missing something that only the heart can value.

The sheep, the one coin, the young son, which of these is more valuable?

They are each valued in a special way to the shepherd,

the woman, and to the father.

 

When the shepherd finds the lost sheep he picks him up

drapes him around his shoulders and happily

carries him to the safety of the flock.

 

When the woman finds her lost coin she announces her good fortune

 to all of her friends and neighbors.

 

When the father sees his son returning

 in the distance he orders the fattest calf to be prepared.

Upon the arrival of his son he adorns him

with fine garments and the celebration begins.

 

 

There is no mystery as to who the return of the son represents;

each of us as children of God the Father.

 

...the grace of our Lord has been abundant...

 

Imagine there is a lost and found room in heaven.

When we have lost our way there is always hope

 that we will return to the Father.

It does not matter how long it takes for us to return

the Father will take us back with open arms.

 

Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.

 

When we sin it is as if we are the lost sheep.

When we sin we loose part of ourselves

until someone reveals the light of truth to us.

The woman lights her lamp and carefully searches

 her house until she finds the lost coin.

 

I pray that God will use me to light the lamp

to help someone find their way back to the Father.

 

When we sin it is never too late to repent...to return to the father's house.

Admitting that we are not worthy to be taken back is the attitude

 of repentance that makes the father love us even more.

 

Lord, I am not worthy but only say the word I will be healed...

Being healed is synonymous with being found.

Because you are valuable there will be rejoicing

 when you return to the Father.

 

Blessings come in returning to the Father no matter

how long you have been lost.