So he told them this parable: 4‘Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? Luke 15 : 3-4

Readings this week Exodus 32 : 7 - 14; 1 Timothy 1 : 12 - 17; Luke 15 : 1 - 10

Some thoughts for this week

Today in our Gospel reading we have two of the three Parables in Luke’s Gospel about lost things. They speak of the Lord’s persevering love for us, for each and every person, how He reaches out to us, searches for us, and rejoices when anyone turns their life and heart back to Him.

These Parables are not about lostness, but about being found. Remarkably this Sunday also marks a celebration in the church’s calendar of Holy Cross Day, which began when the church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem on the site of Jesus’ crucifixion on Calvary, displayed the Cross thought to be that on which Jesus gave His life for us.

It is through the Cross that anyone who feels lost, who feels far from the Lord’s love, who has gone astray or who has fallen into apparent hopelessness, can be brought back to the Lord, to His forgiveness and hope, is embraced into the Lord’s heart of healing and compassion, the forgiveness of sins.

The Parables are seemingly such simple stories. A lost sheep and a lost coin. Yet they are profound insights into the depth of the Lord’s heart who does not rest until we are safe with Him. This is the Lord’s love for us. Every person is so precious to Him. 

Rev Paul

Prayers for this week

Almighty God, who called your Church to bear witness that you were in Christ reconciling the world to yourself: help us to proclaim the good news of your love, that all who hear it may be drawn to you; through him who was lifted up on the cross, and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen

Almighty God, you search us and know us: may we rely on you in strength and rest on you in weakness, now and in all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

People to pray for

For those who feel far from the Lord, who need His compassion, love and forgiveness to bring them home

For the work of Chaplains, evangelists, preachers, and Bible distributors