“It is not the will of your heavenly Father that one of these little ones be lost”

The Gospel according to Matthew 18:12-14.

Lectio: What does the text say?

In just the same way, it is not the will of your heavenly Father that one of these little ones be lost.

After reading this text, what are the words, phrases, or actions that draw your attention, your interest?

Meditatio: What does God say to you through this text?

This text refers those of us who get lost, interrupt, or abandon the straight and narrow for whatever circumstance. There is always someone who thinks of us, of our well-being, not to leave us lost.

Jesus and the Church are wise and through these texts, they give us advice, guiding us by the paths of life. This week, we will go along the path of forgiveness. Surely, it’s happened to all of us that when we’re enjoying in a group, there is someone who is not present, “the lost one”, because they have problems with someone, because they don’t know what they want, they feel offended, etc, and someone feels that they should go to this person or these people and ask or forgive, because even though the majority is there, we don’t feel full in this joy because our joy is not complete and this is what the Lord says to us through the lost sheep and his joy. Am I someone who keeps resentment in my heart and who doesn’t go in search of the person who offended me and whom I offended? Have I experienced or lived this feeling that seems joyful, but there is something that’s missing? What stops me from going out in search of the person that’s lost, that offended me, that distances themself? Am I among the 99 sheep or am I the lost sheep? Do I recognize and accept my faults that lead me astray? When someone searches for me, do I receive them, apologize, and return?

After the message of this text, what is your meditation, your personal reflection?

Oratio: What do I say to God?

Lord, we are in a season where you search for us to tell us that you love and forgive us, that despite all that bad, that you don’t want us to perish, to stay buried, in the darkness, isolated, because you know that we are fragile and that your love is so great that you give everything not to lose us. I ask that you fill our lives with hope, humility, and love, so that as you search for us and forgive us, we may do the same.

After the message of this text, what is your personal prayer?

Add your own intentions.

Amen.

Contemplatio: How do I internalize the Word of God?

“It is not the will of your heavenly Father that one of these little ones be lost”

(Repeat)

“It is not the will of your heavenly Father that one of these little ones be lost”

“It is not the will of your heavenly Father that one of these little ones be lost”

After the message of this text, what is the word, phrase, paragraph, or action that helps you remember this text?

Actio: What do I promise God?

1. Let us prepare to ask for forgiveness or to forgive.

2. Give thanks to the Lord because whoever we may be, he is always searching for us.

After the message of this text, what is the concrete action that he is inviting you to do?