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The prophet Ezekiel pictured Yahweh as a shepherd caring for Israel, his scattered flock: For thus says the Lord God: I myself will search for my sheep, and will seek them out. As shepherds seek out their flocks when they are among their scattered sheep, so I will seek out my sheep. . . . I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak. (Ezekiel 34:11-12, 16)
Drawing on this biblical tradition, Jesus used the image of a shepherd searching for his lost sheep to describe God’s love for those who have strayed. No one listening to this parable would have found it difficult to identify the straying sheep—they were the very people with whom Jesus was associating.
This wasn’t the only time Jesus countered criticism from the Pharisees for embracing sinners and outcasts. On one occasion, Jesus told them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; I have come to call not the righteous but sinners” (Mark 2:15-17). Certainly the Pharisees must have been shocked by Jesus’ portrayal of a God who welcomed “sinners” before them: “I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you” (Matthew 21:31-32). How…
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Its so great to know dat God never gives up on us. Now i know if i should fall into sin, i can run to God cos He seeks me to forgive me. God bless you for these treasures uncovered.
There was a time when I got “lost"in the world, because my job didn’t allow Sundays off, and I got caught up in school and work, doing both full time. I just didn’t have time for God, or so I thought. I used to wake up in the middle of the night, during those dark days, thinking to myself in alarm that I knew there was SOMETHING God wanted me to be doing and I wasn’t doing it. Funny how God drew me back to Himself. I remember taking my little daughter to mass and sitting there with tears flowing down my face.Yes. He does go after His weak and wounded ones.This brought tears to my eyes, because I realize how loving and merciful Jesus truly is to us. Once we are His, we are always His. He knows how to draw us to Himself. Always pray for the lost, because, i think someone was praying for me.