Tuesday December 9, 2025

Matthew 18:12-14

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Tell me. Suppose a man has a hundred sheep and one of them strays; will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hillside and go in search of the stray?

This passage came to life for me as I observed a mother who even in her advanced age worried over her grown child who was an addict. I was a young priest when this lady approached me after mass in Lebanon. Father Chibundi, she said, I know you are close to God. Would you please pray for my son that he gets arrested. I thought it was a crazy prayer request and I inquired if it was indeed a serious prayer request. Father, she explained, I just want to sleep. If he is arrested, I would know every night where he is. I can’t sleep because I don’t know if he is dead in a ditch somewhere. It is then that I realized how profoundly she loved her child.

God will not sleep until you are home safe. He himself has come to lead you home to safety.