Jesus Carrying the Fallen Home: Recovering the Divine Image Within
Today’s Homily examines Luke’s parables of the Lost Sheep and the Lost Coin, . . .
. . . traditionally understood as images of God’s mercy toward individual sinners. However, the Homily recalls the early Church Fathers’ broader view: that these parables describe God’s saving action toward all humanity . . . the whole human race as the “lost sheep” and “lost coin.”
Christ, the Good Shepherd, leaves heaven to rescue fallen humanity, lifting it upon His shoulders through the Cross and carrying it home in the Resurrection. Yet salvation is not passive . . . grace strengthens sinners to repent and cooperate with redemption. Those who respond actively to grace and strive to restore the divine image within themselves bring great joy to heaven.
Humanity made in God’s Image but Disfigured by Sin
The parable of the woman and the lost coin deepens this image: the coin bears the image of the King, symbolizing humanity made in God’s image but disfigured by sin. The woman’s lamp represents Christ, the light of the Incarnation, illuminating and searching the “house” of the human soul. True repentance, then, is an interior cleansing—overturning what hides God’s image until it shines again.
Finally, as November continues . . . the Church’s month of prayer for the departed . . . the Homily connects this teaching to the work of mercy in praying for souls in purgatory. Just as Christ carries fallen humanity, we carry our departed loved ones by prayer, helping them journey toward full union with God. This act renews the divine image in us as well, joining us to Christ’s redemptive mission and the joy of heaven.
Listen to this Meditation Media. Listen to:
Jesus Carrying the Fallen Home: Recovering the Divine Image Within
The Parable of the Lost Sheep: William George Rich: late 1800s
Return to Meditation Media
Gospel Reading: Luke 15:1-10
First Reading: Romans 14:7-12
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Jesus Carrying the Fallen Home: Recovering the Divine Image Within
Today’s Homily examines Luke’s parables of the Lost Sheep and the Lost Coin, . . .
. . . traditionally understood as images of God’s mercy toward individual sinners. However, the Homily recalls the early Church Fathers’ broader view: that these parables describe God’s saving action toward all humanity . . . the whole human race as the “lost sheep” and “lost coin.”
Christ, the Good Shepherd, leaves heaven to rescue fallen humanity, lifting it upon His shoulders through the Cross and carrying it home in the Resurrection. Yet salvation is not passive . . . grace strengthens sinners to repent and cooperate with redemption. Those who respond actively to grace and strive to restore the divine image within themselves bring great joy to heaven.
Humanity made in God’s Image but Disfigured by Sin
The parable of the woman and the lost coin deepens this image: the coin bears the image of the King, symbolizing humanity made in God’s image but disfigured by sin. The woman’s lamp represents Christ, the light of the Incarnation, illuminating and searching the “house” of the human soul. True repentance, then, is an interior cleansing—overturning what hides God’s image until it shines again.
Finally, as November continues . . . the Church’s month of prayer for the departed . . . the Homily connects this teaching to the work of mercy in praying for souls in purgatory. Just as Christ carries fallen humanity, we carry our departed loved ones by prayer, helping them journey toward full union with God. This act renews the divine image in us as well, joining us to Christ’s redemptive mission and the joy of heaven.
Listen to this Meditation Media. Listen to:
Jesus Carrying the Fallen Home: Recovering the Divine Image Within
The Parable of the Lost Sheep: William George Rich: late 1800s
Return to Meditation Media
Gospel Reading: Luke 15:1-10
First Reading: Romans 14:7-12
Heart Speaks to Heart: The Love of Christ in the Eucharist
Ad Jesum per Mariam
15 minutes 52 seconds
2 weeks ago
Heart Speaks to Heart: The Love of Christ in the Eucharist
Heart Speaks to Heart: The Love of Christ in the Eucharist
Today’s Homily centers on St. Paul’s teaching that to truly know God’s love, . . .
. . . one must be rooted and grounded in it . . . not merely observing from a distance but living within it. The Homily then turns to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, whose mystical experiences of Christ’s Sacred Heart revealed the depth of His love and sorrow at being loved so little in return.
Through her, Jesus emphasized that devotion to His Heart is inseparable from devotion to His Eucharistic Presence. He lamented the neglect and indifference shown toward the Blessed Sacrament, even by those consecrated to Him, and called for reparation through time spent with Him in prayer and adoration.
Heart Speaking to Heart
From her quiet convent, this message gave rise to practices such as the First Friday devotion, Holy Hours of Reparation, and the simple yet profound habit of “visiting the Lord” in the tabernacle. The reflection concludes that true devotion to the Sacred Heart is not symbolic or sentimental, but an active, personal engagement . . . heart speaking to heart . . . in which Christ’s love calls to the depths of our own hearts.
Hear more within this Meditation Media. Listen to:
Heart Speaks to Heart: The Love of Christ in the Eucharist
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Art Work
Christ the Savior with the Eucharist: Spanish Painter: Juan de Juanes: 1545 – 1550
This oil-based painting on wood is one of three parts. This part shows Our Lord holding the Eucharist and Chalice
Ad Jesum per Mariam
Jesus Carrying the Fallen Home: Recovering the Divine Image Within
Today’s Homily examines Luke’s parables of the Lost Sheep and the Lost Coin, . . .
. . . traditionally understood as images of God’s mercy toward individual sinners. However, the Homily recalls the early Church Fathers’ broader view: that these parables describe God’s saving action toward all humanity . . . the whole human race as the “lost sheep” and “lost coin.”
Christ, the Good Shepherd, leaves heaven to rescue fallen humanity, lifting it upon His shoulders through the Cross and carrying it home in the Resurrection. Yet salvation is not passive . . . grace strengthens sinners to repent and cooperate with redemption. Those who respond actively to grace and strive to restore the divine image within themselves bring great joy to heaven.
Humanity made in God’s Image but Disfigured by Sin
The parable of the woman and the lost coin deepens this image: the coin bears the image of the King, symbolizing humanity made in God’s image but disfigured by sin. The woman’s lamp represents Christ, the light of the Incarnation, illuminating and searching the “house” of the human soul. True repentance, then, is an interior cleansing—overturning what hides God’s image until it shines again.
Finally, as November continues . . . the Church’s month of prayer for the departed . . . the Homily connects this teaching to the work of mercy in praying for souls in purgatory. Just as Christ carries fallen humanity, we carry our departed loved ones by prayer, helping them journey toward full union with God. This act renews the divine image in us as well, joining us to Christ’s redemptive mission and the joy of heaven.
Listen to this Meditation Media. Listen to:
Jesus Carrying the Fallen Home: Recovering the Divine Image Within
The Parable of the Lost Sheep: William George Rich: late 1800s
Return to Meditation Media
Gospel Reading: Luke 15:1-10
First Reading: Romans 14:7-12
