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
Holding Up the Hands of Faith
Today’s Homily centers on the theme of persistence in prayer and faith as a mission to be passed on.
The Homily begins by contrasting today’s culture of instant gratification with the patient perseverance required in prayer. The first reading from Exodus illustrates this through Moses, whose raised hands during battle symbolize steadfast prayer and dependence on God. When his strength fails, Aaron and Hur support him . . . showing that prayer often needs the help and faith of others.
Moses’ intercession prefigures Christ’s outstretched arms on the Cross, interceding for humanity. The second reading reminds believers, as Paul told Timothy, to “keep the faith” and pass it on . . . faith handed down like a relay baton from one generation to the next.
On Mission Sunday, the Church calls every Christian to share and sustain that faith, not only through ordained ministry but also within families and communities.
The Gospel challenges us to remain faithful and persistent in prayer so that, when Christ returns, He may still find faith alive on earth. Each believer is invited to ask: Will God find faith in me, in my family, and in my world?
Listen to this Meditation Media. Listen to:
Holding Up the Hands of Faith
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Art Work
Moses, Aaron and Hur: Alexander Heubel: 1837
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Gospel Reading: Luke 10: 1-9
First Reading: 2 Timothy 4: 10-17
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
