Years ago, when my mother became ill and my father had to relocate, we returned to our hometown, Eremon Dazuuri in the Upper West Region of Ghana. While living in the village, I unexpectedly became a shepherd for a brief moment, and later, a cowboy. Looking back, that time spent tending to sheep has stayed with me as one of the most spiritually rich chapters of my life. I like to say that it's impossible to be a shepherd or a farmer without being a believer or a person of faith.
The parallels between my own experience and the imagery used so often in Scripture are striking. When a sheep went missing or strayed with another flock, it caused deep concern. Often, I would entrust the rest of the flock to another shepherd and go in search of the lost one. The joy I felt when I found it was incredible, in fact contagious. Bringing the lost sheep back was not just about restoring order; it was an act of love. And that is sheep I'm talking about, not humans.
That experience has deepened my understanding of Luke 15:4–7, where Jesus tells the parable of the lost sheep. It’s one of the most powerful expressions of His divine love. He says:
"What man among you having a hundred sheep and losing one of them would not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the lost one until he finds it?"
That is the love of Jesus, the Sacred Heart burning with compassion. He does not desire to lose even one of us. His love seeks, finds, and rejoices.
Today, I was again at the chapel for Mass at Good Samaritan Hospital. The turnout was larger than usual, many had come to honor the Sacred Heart of our blessed Lord. The homily was a beautiful meditation on joy, especially the joy we feel when we recover something we thought was lost. The priest spoke of the prayers we offer to St. Anthony of Padua when we lose things, and how the rejoicing upon finding them mirrors that of the Good Shepherd.
Then came the Gospel moment: Jesus asking Peter not once but three times, “Do you love me?” (John 21:15–17). Peter, in his humility and brokenness, answered: “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” This dialogue is a powerful echo of God’s relentless pursuit of our hearts.
The feast of the Sacred Heart reminds us that we are deeply loved, searched for, and rejoiced over, no matter how far we may stray away from His love and mercy.
I hope you God something out of this.
God bless you 🙏
Pal Ronnie
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