Today's gospel reading, from St. Matthew's rendition, suggests that there is a unique opportunity to everyone with a little reflection time on the story Jesus provided: the values related to lost sheep. We know the story quite well, don't we? Or, really, do we? If we know it well, would our lives be what they are today, especially if we find ourselves in a prodigal son story type situation. Let me propose a linkage between the lost sheep and the prodigal son. The reality of personal need for independence, the painful sense of loss, the challenge of welcoming back: these are a few thoughts that might strengthen our own relationships in family issues and perhaps even in working situations.
When one member of the family or the flock leaves, even if it is to do good, a part of the family portrait is empty. One member is no longer there. Family wholeness does not exist any longer. Imagine the challenge to the parents: how to welcome back into the living portrait the one who may have hurt them or the other family members by the leaving. How do they restore that lost family unity to accommodate the "free spirited" one who directly or indirectly has challenge family unity? How do they encourage sibling understanding and acceptance?
Jesus reminds us that those who wander are as important or valuable as those who are remain in the picture. For many that is a difficulty. Our times so often demand that there be equality or better. To hear that there is "more" rejoicing over the returning of a "wanderer," is not always easy to understand or to endure.
The challenge, the mission, of those who remained in the picture is understand that the "wanderer" is a part of the picture, a part of the family unity. Giving "welcome home" to one who abandoned ship demands of us an awareness of the value, perhaps hidden, that lies within the heart and soul of each person. Like Jesus says, God is genuinely concerned about the one "wanderer" just as he has concern for all the others in the portrait, the family portrait or the Church portrait!
