Every time I read the parable of the lost sheep, it makes me scratch my head. It always seems unfair to me that there is more joy over the return of one who wandered than there is over the 99 who had the sense to stay together. Maybe it is my oldest child mentality coming out; like the brother in the prodigal son, I get a little resentful. However, today I took a different (and more accurate) view of the parable.
I thought about Sunday Sacrament meetings. When I attend church (as I do every Sunday), no one gets really excited. No one comes up, shakes my hand enthusiastically, and says, “Wow, Nola, I’m so glad you could make it!” No one says, “We’ve really missed you.” I know that everyone is glad I’m there. They just don’t make a big deal over it.
But when an inactive sister comes, everyone takes the time to welcome her back. They smile and ask how things are going. They do all that they can to make her feel welcome. They encourage her to come back (whereas no one ever asks me if I’ll be there next week – unless they want something).
Does this mean that my inactive sister is loved more than me? Despite all I do for the branch and the sisters in the branch? Of course not. Everyone is glad that I am there (especially glad in a tiny branch!). Most of us know that the members of our branches and wards are glad to see us; if we take a few weeks off, whether to travel or because we’re sick, everyone asks about us upon our return. But in most cases, the return of the inactive sister is an unexpected surprise. We are overjoyed that she has found her way back to us, and hope and pray that she stays. We want to make sure she knows how much we’ve missed her, and so we take more care to express that to her.
There are times when I read this parable (along with the other two in Luke 15) and think, “Doesn’t the Lord love me for being good?” Then I realize that, just like in my branch, the Lord expresses that love every day, but in smaller, less obvious ways. Because I am on the right path, I have the constant companionship of the Holy Spirit. I am constantly immersed in learning about the gospel. I have a close and personal relationship with the Savior. Because I am already so blessed, I, too, can respond with joy when the lost sheep returns to the fold.
Related Articles:
Gospel Doctrine: “Give ye them to eat”
For other articles on this week’s lesson, click on the “Gospel Doctrine” link at the right.