Daily Gospel Reflection

Rejoice Like Never Before

Welcome back to Radical & Relevant, where each day we explore the genius of the gospel, the genius of Catholicism, the richness of the life and teachings of Jesus. Looking each day in the gospel of the day for just a word or a phrase or an idea that the Holy Spirit uses to stir our hearts, our minds, our souls, and to send us out into the world on mission. Today's reading is from the Gospel of Matthew 18:12-14. "What do you think? If a man has 100 sheep and 1 of them has gone astray, does he not leave the 99 on the hills and go in search of the one that went astray? And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the 99 that never went astray. So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish." The first thing that jumps out to me is the assumption of the first question. What do you think if a man has 100 sheep and 1 of them has gone astray, does he not leave the 99 on the hills and go in search of the 1 that has gone astray? I think that rural agricultural mind understands this, but I'm not sure the modern urban mind understands this. I think the modern urban mind says if we've got 100 of them and 1 goes astray, we order another one from Amazon. Or we protect the 99. We're not going to leave the 99 to go off and search of the 1. We're going to protect the 99. And of course, this is the way of the world. This is the way of man. And the ways of God are very different. That's the first thing that jumps out at me. But the second thing that jumps out at me is the rejoicing. That God rejoices over the one being rediscovered, being found, being restored. Rejoicing. God rejoices. I love the phrase in the Bible, "This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad." It's a great morning prayer. I love it just as a morning prayer right there. This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad. And it's the word rejoice, rejoicing that jumps out at me today. Let's go out into the world and find something to rejoice in today. Let's go out in the world, find many things to rejoice in today, many people to rejoice in today. Let's be ambassadors of rejoicing. Have a great day. And remember, Be Bold, Be Catholic.