Today's Gospel passage is one of my favorites.
The rejoicing over the lost sheep that was found and brought back.
Jesus' flat-out assurance that God does not want even one of us to be lost.
That's what the Good News is all about.
Such solid encouragement for our hope.
Perhaps somewhat selfish hope, for ourselves and our loved ones.
But broader still, hope for the world.
Hope for everyone.
Hope for everyone.
God—Our Father—does not want even one of us to be lost.
He's gone so far as to send His Son to redeem us.
What better reason could we have for a strong hope that,
In the end, all will work out.
In the end, all will work out.
That in the end we will all join Our Father in Heaven.
Why shouldn't we have great hope!
We should.
But we can't let our attitude push beyond hope
Into the realm of presumption.
Into the realm of presumption.
We can't think we can do whatever we want.
That we don't even have to try to live a good life.
We can't presume that God will overlook everything.
That we have a free pass relying on God's perfect mercy.
Presumption ignores the fact that God is not only all-merciful.
He's also all-just.
He's also all-just.
How does He strike the balance between His perfect mercy
And His perfect justice?
And His perfect justice?
Mercy trumps justice.
But isn't there some point where perfect justice demands punishment?
But isn't there some point where perfect justice demands punishment?
Or at least denial of reward?
Aren't there many Gospel passages about the need to
Enter through the narrow gate?
Enter through the narrow gate?
About many being called, but few chosen?
That gives us a lot to ponder, and to meditate and pray about.
But the clear message today is that we should never despair.
Our Father—Almighty God—wants every one of us
To join Him in Heaven.
To join Him in Heaven.
And He's always standing by to help us get there.
You can't top that for Good News.
You can't find a better basis for optimism and great hope.
Great hope for ourselves and for everyone.
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