12/9/2025 (Tuesday) Today’s Gospel reading: Matthew 18:12-14
Jesus said to his disciples:
12 “What is your opinion? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine in the hills and go in search of the stray?
13 And if he finds it, amen, I say to you, he rejoices more over it than over the ninety-nine that did not stray.
14 In just the same way, it is not the will of your heavenly Father that one of these little ones be lost.”
12/9/2025 (Tuesday) Today’s Gospel reflection / homily / sermon: Matthew 18:12-14
There is something deeply comforting about the image of a shepherd leaving the ninety-nine sheep to search for the one that is lost. It speaks of a love that refuses to give up, a compassion that goes beyond logic, and a commitment that sees value even in one wandering soul. In this Gospel passage, Jesus reveals to us the heart of God, a heart that seeks, pursues, and rejoices over each person, no matter how lost they may seem.
In our world today, people often measure value by numbers, performance, or visibility. Companies celebrate profits, schools highlight top achievers, and society praises those who succeed. But God’s love does not operate on statistics or achievements. He notices the one who is hurting, the one who feels invisible, the one who drifts away because of pain or confusion. He sees the lone individual sitting quietly in the corner, hiding struggles behind a smile. His heart goes out to the one who feels unworthy or forgotten.
Consider a modern-day situation: a teacher who notices a student withdrawing, falling behind, or losing interest. While the rest of the class seems fine, this one student quietly fades into the background. A true educator reaches out, offers encouragement, and refuses to let the child feel alone. Or think of a friend who, despite having a busy schedule, messages someone who hasn’t been active in the group chat, asking if everything is okay. These small acts mirror the heart of the Good Shepherd, seeking out the one who might be silently struggling.
Sometimes, we are the one who gets lost. Life becomes overwhelming, pressures at work, misunderstandings at home, mistakes that leave us ashamed. We drift spiritually because prayer feels distant or because we believe God has better things to attend to than our personal battles. But the message of the shepherd tells us that no matter how far we wander, God always notices. He steps into our darkness, calls out our name, and gently brings us back into His embrace. His love does not depend on our perfection but on His unwavering commitment to us.
There are also times when we are called to be like the shepherd, to look beyond our circle and notice someone who needs compassion. It could be a co-worker who seems unusually quiet, a sibling who feels isolated, or a church member who stopped attending because of personal struggles. Choosing to reach out, to check on them, or simply to be present is a powerful expression of God’s love. It shows that every person matters.
What makes the message of this passage truly inspiring is the joy that comes when the lost one is found. God celebrates restoration, healing, and return. He delights in every step we take back toward Him, no matter how small. And He invites us to share in that joy by becoming instruments of His compassion.
In a world where people often feel overlooked, Jesus reminds us of this beautiful truth: You matter to God. Every soul matters. And God’s love will always go farther, deeper, and wider than we can ever imagine to bring each of us safely home.
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