Level I February 21st and 24th

'Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.'

This week in the atrium we celebrated the beginning of Lent with the children. We had a procession into the atrium singing “Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord”, and changed the prayer cloth to purple for this time of preparation.

We presented the Sign of the Cross to the children and talked about how making the Sign of the Cross is a symbol of protection (like a shield), and reminder that God is close to us.

Finally, the second year children received the Lost Sheep presentation. As I was thinking about the questions we ask the children in order to lift up certain ideas from this scripture passage, I realized how prevalent this passage is to my life, and what a beautiful parable this is to contemplate during the Lenten season.

“What man among you having a hundred sheep and losing one of them would not leave the ninety-nine in the desert and go after the lost one until he finds it?

And when he does find it, he sets it on his shoulders with great joy.

And, upon his arrival home, he calls together his friends and neighbors and says to them, 'Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.'” Lk. 15:4-6

How does it feel to be lost? The children immediately respond “scary”, they have either been lost or can imagine what that would feel like. But as an adult, what does it feel like to be lost? We have all experienced confusion, loneliness, being unsure of God’s will or feeling as though we are far from God.

Yet…

What does the Good Shepherd do?
He looks for that lost sheep, and he does not stop looking until he finds it, he never gives up! The lost sheep must have been so happy to be found be the Good Shepherd! And we know the Good Shepherd was happy, too! He carried the sheep home on his shoulders, and when he got there called everyone together to celebrate!

The Good Shepherd does the same for us, even now! Praise God for the sacrament of Reconciliation and for this wonderful season of turning our hearts and minds back to God. I believe all of Heaven is rejoicing!

May God bless you all!
-Liz Stone