Lost Sheep

12/10/2019

Step #1: Lectio / Read

Click the link below or open your Bible to the passage and read through the reading at least once, paying attention to what is happening in the text.

Matthew 18:12-14

Step #2: Meditatio / Meditate

Use the following meditation to help you reflect more deeply on the Scripture (you may want to read the passage again).

If you’re reading this, chances are that you already have a faith life. It’s so easy to see other people as being the “lost sheep” from the Gospel today because we already have faith, but there’s a simple truth that we need to realize: we’re all lost sheep in some way in our lives. No matter how strong our faith life is, each one of us still has ways we need to grow. We all have ways that we stray away from the flock of saints that we’re called to be part of. Yet, when we stray, the shepherd comes running after us. Jesus Christ will go any distance to catch you and save you from being forever lost. The only catch is this: you have to let Him lead you back to the flock.

If you’ve ever had a pet before, you know that they can be hard to control at times, especially when they want to do something that you don’t want them to do. Every time I try to get my dog to come inside for the night, he always runs right back out into the yard! How many times do we do that with Jesus? How many times do we struggle against Him and do what we want when we know it’s running away from the flock? Just like we try to shepherd our pets to do what will be good and safe for them, Jesus is trying to shepherd us to become a saint and go to Heaven. If life gets a lot better when our doggo’s do what we want instead of running off, then our lives will get better when we let Jesus lead us to Heaven!

We need to see where in our lives we are the lost sheep. What are the things you think you need to grow in? If you were to ask someone else how you could grow, what would they say? Are you too jealous? Too focused on your phone? Do you get irritated too easily? How are you straying away from the flock?

Now, what’s keeping you from going back to Jesus? How are you fighting against Him leading you? What can you do today to take a step towards the Shepherd? Even if you’re scared, or it’s out of your comfort zone, are you going to have the guts to follow Jesus? In the end, the only person who can choose to go back to the flock is you. Jesus is waiting right there for you, wanting to lead you back, but you need to stop struggling and let Him carry you home.

It’s not always easy to follow Jesus, but it’s always worth it. The Shepherd will care for the sheep in a way that the world never can, so don’t go astray into the world. The Shepherd is calling you to come back to Him in every part of your life today.

Jesus wants to lead you back to the flock of saints- you just need to follow Him!

Step #3: Oratio / Pray

These questions are to be used to talk to God; have a conversation with the Lord about these questions and what is going on in your heart as you pray today.

In what ways am I lost from the Shepherd right now? How is God calling me back?

How do I struggle to trust the Lord to lead my life? What are specific fears I have?

How can I begin to trust in God today? What practical step can I take toward Jesus' way for my life?

Step #4: Contemplatio / Contemplate

In this step, you listen. Stop talking, let God speak to your heart. You may repeat one of these short phrases to focus your mind on the Lord.

"Shepherd me, O God."

"Help me trust in you more."

"I want to follow you."

Step #5: Actio / Act

In light of today's reading and your time spent in prayer with the Lord, what concrete action or actions will you take to let this encounter with the Lord bear fruit in you today?

The Shepherd is calling you back- make one step back to God today. If you can identify a specific struggle you have in following God: avoiding a specific sin, experiencing true repentance, taking time to pray, going to Confession, etc., make a plan to take a step back toward the Shepherd. Let today be step one in the journey back to God!

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"Today's prayer was prepared by Brendan Slovacek, a student at Franciscan University of Steubenville.

If you have anything you'd like our team to pray for, please go to the page of our website called ""Prayers"" and let us know how we can pray for you today."

CARPE VERBUM