
Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.
Today's Gospel: Matthew 18:12-14
Today’s Gospel reading is easy to understand. Jesus appears as the Good Shepherd, leaving the ninety-nine to find the lost sheep. I can relate to that.
Many years ago, I wandered away from the flock and became lost in my loneliness. Adrift in my early twenties, I went astray, slowly falling away from the Church. Misery was my middle name. Thankfully, the Good Shepherd knew of my whereabouts and gently called me back. In retrospect, I was hanging on by a thread. That thread was the Eucharist.
For some mysterious reason, I still attended Sunday Mass (perhaps not every Sunday) Let’s say once a month. I sat in the back pew, all alone. Each time the Host was elevated, I had a consoling thought. “That round white Host looks like a life preserver.”
Little did I know that God had a plan for me. I still remember the day at work when I took that first step back. My future seemed bleak. Why not try a little experiment? Say the Our Father and see what happens. Now that was a turbocharged prayer.
In a short time, I sought out a priest for Confession and had a major conversion. It is a rather long story that ended (or began) like any satisfying romance. I met a handsome and upright man who proposed to me on a Cape Cod beach. It was low tide, but that did not matter. He hid the diamond ring in his green baseball cap and presented it to me with a shy smile.
I was lost and now was found. The Good Shepherd rejoiced, knowing “it is not the will of your heavenly Father that one of these little ones be lost.”
Ponder:
In times of trouble, do I turn to simple prayers, asking God to show me the way?
Pray:
Heavenly Father, help me to always remember that You are ever near. You are always ready to lend a guiding hand.
Copyright 2024 Kathryn Swegart
About the Author

Kathryn Swegart
Kathryn Griffin Swegart is an award-winning author of Catholic books for children. Kathryn and her husband raised three children on a small farm in rural Maine. She is a professed member of the Secular Franciscan Order and contributor to Magnificat. Visit her website at KathrynSwegart.com.
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