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
Memento Mori: Holding Onto What Matters Most in Life and Death
Ad Jesum per Mariam
13 minutes 41 seconds
1 week ago
Memento Mori: Holding Onto What Matters Most in Life and Death
Memento Mori: Holding Onto What Matters Most in Life and Death
Today’s Homily, on All Souls‘ Day, . . .
. . . tells the story of a grieving family mourning their only daughter. When the priest arrives, people expect answers and consolation . . . but instead, he sits at the coffin and weeps with them. His tears silently communicate that death, pain, and loss are real, and sometimes there are no words . . . only presence and love.
Memento Mori
The message extends to all who mourn: the Church stands with us in grief and points us to Christ, who also wept for His friend Lazarus. Jesus shares in our suffering, prays with us, and leads us to eternal life. The reading reminds us that nothing . . . not even death . . . can separate us from God’s love and that we are created for eternal glory.
We are encouraged to remember death, to hold onto what truly matters . . . Christ . . . and to live well, knowing our time on earth is limited. Commemorating the dead comforts us, honors them, and reminds us that one day we too will be prayed for. May the souls of the departed rest in peace
Listen to this Meditation Media: Listen to:
Memento Mori: Holding Onto What Matters Most in Life and Death
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Memento Mori . . .
. . . is a Latin phrase that means:
“Remember that you will die.”
It is a spiritual reminder used throughout Christian history . . . especially by monks and saints . . . to keep life in perspective. The point is not to inspire fear, but to encourage:
• humility
• living with purpose
• focusing on what truly matters (our soul and love of God)
• readiness to meet the Lord
In other words, Memento Mori invites us to live well by remembering that earthly life is temporary and eternal life is our true destination.
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Art Work
All Souls’ Day: Czech Painter: Jakub Schikaneder: 1888
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
