The Joy of Being Found

Being lost is a frustrating and scary experience! I imagine no one likes it. And it can really be uncomfortable as an adult like when you are trying desperately to make your way to an appointment at a location you are unfamiliar with. Or when you are hiking the Camino de San Ignacio and you and some of your hiking mates get separated from your leader and don’t have a map. Then, 5 kilometers or so later you discover the hostel you were expected at, only to be greeted by your leader who has already showered and is enjoying a cup of tea in the lobby. Ugh!

Being lost is frustrating for sure, but what a feeling when you are found! In today’s Gospel, Jesus asks his disciples their opinion about why a shepherd would leave his 99 sheep in search of the one who strayed. He reminds us that it is not God's will that we be lost, and in fact, that God rejoices when we are found!

Our Father wants us close protected in his love, much like parents want to protect their children. And as we age and grow in our own “wisdom,” we parents also wake up one day to realize we too are lost. We can’t make sense of exactly how we wandered away, but we miss HOME. We miss the peace and calm of a warm heart, so we return to Him promising not to stray again and to try harder! He nods and says, “It’s okay. I’m glad you are back home.”

I believe most of us have done this…at least once. We’ve strayed. It’s hard not to stray sometimes. We are human. The Gospel suggests that it’s not God’s will for us to be lost or even to feel pushed away. In fact, God often sends us shepherds to guide us home when we are astray. Have you noticed that? Often, they are people who make an appearance in our lives at a stressful, confusing or sad time... possibly a time of desolation even. These shepherds might not forcibly pick us up and haul us back home, but discreetly they remind us of what it means to be loved. A love that calls us back into the arms of God.

Who will you shepherd this Advent season? Who do you know that is lost, alone, sad, even angry? Take a moment to send a text or email, mail a card, check on a neighbor, meet someone you’ve put off for a coffee. The gift of your words and time might be just they need to come back home.

Author: Madeline Maggard, Language Department