IF IT IS for a good cause, we should not be afraid to complicate our life. This is what Christ in effect told us when he talked about that shepherd who left behind the ninety-nine sheep of his flock to look for the one that strayed. (cfr. Mt 18, 12-14)
We have to develop this attitude of looking for a lost sheep. This should be deeply ingrained in our system. Christ reassured us that our joy would be greater when we would finally find that lost brother or sister of ours. “If he finds it,” Christ said, “amen, I say to you, he rejoices more over it than over the ninety-nine that did not stray.” (Mt 18, 13)
For this, we should have the proper dispositions of real and abiding concern for everyone. Once we notice, for example, one of our brothers or sisters, or friends or colleagues, kind of straying in some way, especially in the spiritual and moral aspects of our life, that’s when we have to give special attention to that person, unafraid of the challenge it would pose.
We have to reassure ourselves that behaving in that way would please God immensely and that he would give us all the means to carry out that task successfully. There may be great difficulties involved, but as long as we persist, we can only expect success that may come in ways and forms different from our expectations.
God will always have his own ways, and they can be mysterious, even to the point that his ways can seem contrary to what we want. We have to be ready for this eventuality. That is why we need to be tough and not too delicate or sensitive as we go through the drama of the task. It would also help if we have a sporting attitude with a good dose of sense of humor to lighten the burden of the search.
We have to be wary of our tendency to be contented with simply looking after those persons who are more or less okay spiritually and morally. While we also have to watch over them, we should be more keenly vigilant over those who are lagging behind or are already straying from the right path.
Let’s take comfort in the words of St. James in his letter. “Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way,” he said, “will save his soul from death and cover over a multitude of sins.” (5, 20) These words should somehow convince us that whatever sacrifice would be involved in this task would be all worthwhile. “Vale la pena.”
Let’s remember that whenever we are generous with God by following his will more closely, God would even be more generous with us. We should not be stinting in this regard. We have to give our all in this task.
The Book of Proverbs testifies to this truth. “One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want. Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.” (11, 24-25)
Of course, this is easier said than done. We should have a way of developing daily this concern for the lost sheep. Are we willing to leave our comfort behind whenever someone needs help, especially spiritual and moral help? Are we training ourselves to be more and more competent in handling the complex and complicated spiritual and moral issues of others?
Can we really say that we have the mind of Christ who presents himself as the Good Shepherd who always looks for the lost sheep? Are we convinced that by having that readiness to look for the lost sheep, we are becoming more and more like Christ?
Our Christianity would not really be authentic when we have no or little concern for those who are far from God.
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Fr. Roy Cimagala is the Chaplain of the Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise, Talamban, Cebu City (roycimagala@gmail.com/PN)
