Hello friends.
This is Mark Ludman,
Also known as Brother Frederick James,
Your friendly neighborhood monk in docs.
Welcome as we continue in these guided meditations,
Contemplating the parables and stories that Jesus told.
As we begin today,
I invite you to take a deep breath in and out and just become settled and still as we open our ears,
Our minds and our hearts to the voice of the Spirit through this parable today.
And as we continue in these stories,
May you be fully present,
Open,
Curious and attentive.
Now today's parable from Luke chapter 15 verses 3 to 7 begins with something small,
Just one sheep missing from the flock.
Now easy to overlook because there's still 99 that are there and to the untrained eye probably wouldn't even have missed anything.
But the shepherd notices and it's not because the 99 are unimportant,
It's because the one matters just as deeply as the 99.
But in this story,
The shepherd doesn't sit around and wait for the sheep to return,
He goes searching across hills,
Through valleys,
Into uncertain,
Probably dark places.
But this isn't one of those frustrated searches.
This is a search that's filled with care.
And when the sheep's found,
There's joy,
Relief,
Yes,
But also a full on celebration.
And so maybe this story isn't just about wandering and finding.
Maybe it's about being seen,
Even when we feel lost,
Even when we feel that we're far from where we hoped to be.
Someone still notices.
So as you listen today,
I invite you to notice where in your life might you feel lost,
Or uncertain,
Or far from home?
And what might it mean that you are being sought after and that you're not forgotten?
So let's start by listening to this parable as they're written in the Gospel of Luke.
So as we move into a short time of silence,
Just let this image rest with you.
Shepherd walking across the ground searching,
And a sheep carried on steady shoulders.
And now let's listen again.
And as you listen,
Just notice what word or phrase or image seems to draw your attention,
Something that stays with you.
And that invites you to curiously think about it a little bit deeper.
Jesus told them this parable,
Which one of you having 100 sheep and losing one of them doesn't leave the 99 in the wilderness and go after the one that's lost until he finds it.
When he's found it,
He lays it on his shoulders and rejoices and then he comes home and calls together his friends and neighbours saying,
Rejoice with me,
For I have found my sheep that was lost.
Just so,
I tell you,
There will be more joy in heaven over one who was lost and is found than over 99 who need no repentance.
Now whatever it was that's caught your attention,
Just return to that word,
Image,
Phrase,
And allow it to sit with you.
Don't try and interpret it yet,
Just allow it to sink deeply and take root.
And now let's listen once more.
And as you listen,
Notice where this story and your life seem to come together.
Where do you find yourself?
Are you among the 99?
Maybe you're in the wilderness,
Lost,
Or maybe you're being carried home.
Jesus told them this parable,
Which one of you having a hundred sheep and losing one of them,
Doesn't leave the 99 in the wilderness and go after the one that's lost until he finds it.
When he's found it,
He lays it on his shoulders and rejoices and then he comes home and calls together his friends and neighbours saying,
Rejoice with me,
For I have found my sheep that was lost.
Just so,
I tell you,
There will be more joy in heaven over one who was lost and is found than over 99 who need no repentance.
Now holding this all together will take some time in some longer quiet.
And as we do,
Just allow the image to deepen,
The strong shoulders,
Those careful steps,
The journey home,
Not alone,
Not forgotten,
But found and carried.
And as we bring this time together to a close,
A question for you to take with you.
Where in your life might you be in need of being found and carried?
Gently restored,
Brought home.
And as you move into the rest of your day,
May you trust that even when you feel lost,
You are not forgotten.
And may grace,
Peace,
And love go with you and remain with you today and always.
Amen.
Until next time,
Peace be with you.
Bye for now.
