The Parable of the Lost Sheep
No fixed feast day in the calendar
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The shepherd leaves the ninety-nine to look for the lost sheep, then joyfully carries it on his shoulders
What is this parable?
Tax collectors and sinners were coming to listen to Jesus. The Pharisees and scribes grumbled: “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” (Lk 15:2). So the Lord told three parables about the joy of finding what was lost: the lost sheep, the lost coin and the prodigal son (cf. Lk 15:3-32).
The story
Jesus asks: which of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one, would not leave the ninety-nine in the desert and go after the lost one until he finds it (cf. Lk 15:4)? When he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders. When he gets home, he calls together his friends and neighbors: “Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.” (Lk 15:6).
The Lord concludes: there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need to repent (cf. Lk 15:7).
What does Jesus want to teach you?
The shepherd in the parable shows you the heart of God. In the parable, Jesus does not say who the shepherd is; but from very early on, Christians carved and painted Jesus carrying a sheep on his shoulders, because he himself said: “I am the good shepherd.” (Jn 10:11). That is why this card shows the shepherd as Jesus.
Each person is precious in God’s eyes, even if only one out of a hundred. When you sin, the Lord does not sit and wait for you to find your own way back; he comes looking for you through your conscience, through the advice of your parents and catechists, and above all through the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
A lesson for you
- When you do something wrong, do not hide from the Lord; let him bring you back through confession.
- Go and look for a friend who has been left behind: invite them back to Mass and to catechism class.
- Be glad when others change for the better; do not criticize them.
Identifying marks
- Jesus carrying a little sheep on his shoulders, holding its legs with both hands: God goes looking for every sinner; once he finds them, he joyfully carries them home.
- A halo with a cross behind the shepherd’s head: the card shows the shepherd as Jesus himself, the Good Shepherd who gives his life for his sheep.
- The white sheep nestling against the Lord’s cheek, looking safe: whoever is found by the Lord is at peace and no longer afraid.
- A stony path with thorn bushes beside it: the Lord does not mind hardship; he goes through difficult places to look for you.
- The flock by a stone sheepfold on the hilltop: a symbol of the flock made whole again; the Gospel only tells that the shepherd carried the sheep home and invited everyone to share his joy.
The text on this page is the card in the Catholic Information app, word for word.
Compiled by i-Catholic · About