Every year, on certain beaches, tiny sea turtles break through the sand at night. They have never seen the ocean, yet they know to move toward the light reflected over the water. But today, another light often shines more brightly: hotels, streetlamps, restaurants, passing cars. The turtles become confused. Instead of moving toward the sea, they crawl toward roads and buildings.
They are not trying to destroy themselves. They are following the wrong light.
This helps us understand the lost sheep in today’s Gospel. Jesus does not call the sheep worthless. He does not say that it no longer belongs to the shepherd. It is simply lost.
We often confuse a person’s condition with their identity. We say, “He is a sinner. She is difficult. He is addicted. She is angry. He has lost his faith.” We describe people by where they are at this moment. But Christ sees more deeply. He sees not only where they are, but whose they are.
The sheep is lost, but it is still the shepherd’s sheep.
Many people do not wander because they hate God. Like the little turtles, they may be following a false light. Some follow the light of success, believing it will give them peace. Others follow money, pleasure, attention, pride, or the approval of others. The light appears bright, but it leads them away from life.
And Christ does not stand far away saying, “You chose the wrong road; now find your own way back.” The shepherd goes searching.
This is the good news for every one of us. Our worst decision does not become our whole identity. Our distance from God does not make us worthless. Our sin is real, and it can lead us into danger, but it does not erase the image of God within us.
Perhaps today we are following the wrong light. Perhaps someone we love has wandered far away. We must not despise them, abandon them, or decide that they are beyond hope. We should remember how Christ sees them. He does not see only their confusion, their failure, or their distance. He sees someone who still belongs to Him.
The lost sheep is not worthless. It is precious enough for the Shepherd to leave the ninety-nine, enter the darkness, and carry it home.
