The lost sheep

Jesus spoke this parable to the scribes and Pharisees: ‘What man among you with a hundred sheep, losing one, would not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the missing one till he found it? And when he found it, would he not joyfully take it on his shoulders and then, when he got home, call together his friends and neighbours? “Rejoice with me,” he would say “I have found my sheep that was lost.” In the same way, I tell you, there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one repentant sinner than over ninety-nine virtuous men who have no need of repentance.’ (Luke 15,3-7)

The parable of the lost sheep defines both the meaning and the reason for the Lord’s  coming. The joy of the shepherd when he finds his lost sheep is the same joy Jesus has every time a sinner converts. During your last confession, did you think about the joy in heaven when you confessed your mortal sins with sincere repentance?  Were you truly sincere when you promised to strive to never sin again when you recited the act of contrition.