Jesus sent out his apostles with purpose. They were ordinary people empowered to heal, comfort, bring hope to others, and share the good news that the kingdom of heaven is at hand. He did not complicate the mission or expect perfection from them. He simply said: “Go to the lost sheep.” Jesus tells His apostles—and us—to go find the ones who are lost. The ones who have slipped through the cracks, the weary, the overlooked; the ones who feel like they do not belong, the ones who have lost sight of their worth, the ones who feel like they have walked too far away from God. Unlike the apostles, many of us may not feel called to preach to crowds on street corners or to travel to unfamiliar places to minister. Yet, Jesus’s instructions are as relevant and actionable now as they were then. When we sit with this invitation, it is not just a mission for the apostles—it is an invitation to all of us, right here, right now.
Go—share the good news, heal the hurting, touch those deemed to be untouchable, and serve those who are broken. Remind them that they are not forgotten. Afterall, is that not what our lives as believers are about? Yet, how often do we turn our response to Jesus’s instructions into a checklist of religious activities or staying at a safe distance? Jesus reminds us today that our faith is active—it reaches outwards. We must bother to care, and we do not have to look too far. Jesus is inviting us to step into someone’s story, carrying His love into dark and weary places, and offering something that transforms, such as hope.
Maybe for us, going to the lost sheep means offering forgiveness when it is hard, or sitting in silence with a friend in their grief, or speaking hope into a situation that feels hopeless in our homes, workplaces, neighborhoods, and even online communities. It could also take the form of sending a kind text, or offering a cup of coffee, or carving out time to pray with someone who is struggling and needs a moment of comfort or reassurance. These are not grand, headline-worthy gestures, but they are powerful. We do not have to travel far to proclaim that the kingdom of heaven is at hand. It is here, now—in the ordinary messy and aching moments of life. The kingdom of heaven brushes against us in simple, sacred ways: such as in a kind word where there was only silence, in a shared meal that nourishes more than just the body, and in the courage to be present to someone who feels unseen.
The “lost sheep” is not always some distant stranger. Sometimes, the lost one is a close friend whose struggle we have overlooked. Sometimes, it is a family member wandering through their own wilderness. Sometimes, it is us—the part of ourselves we ignore or forget. The parts that sit silently with questions like, “Does God see me from where I am? Can I really be found if I have strayed so far? We have all been “lost sheep” at some point—wandering through seasons of doubt, loneliness, or numbness, carrying more questions than answers, wondering if anyone even notices our absence. But the call of Jesus is gentle and steady, “Come back home…..and as you come home, invite others.”
Hosea chapter 10 reminds us that in order to do the outward work that Jesus is asking us to do, we need to start with an inward check. We need to check our “luxuriant vines”—our hearts. We do not need to have it all figured out to respond to this call. The apostles didn’t either. They went out tired, flawed, and unsure at times, but what mattered was their “yes.” The same is true for us. God is asking for availability. God is asking us to show up—imperfect, busy, tired—because it is God’s strength and love that makes the difference. God’s kingdom is breaking into the world through everyday people willing to reflect God’s love in simple, tangible ways. So, let us start where we are—being open, being kind. Let God use us, and as we step out, even in small ways, we will find that God’s kingdom is often closer than we think—it is already at work, through us.
Lord, keep our eyes and hearts open to find those who are lost, and remind us that You are always near. Amen.
Vivian Amu
I am an alumna of Creighton University. My Jesuit education has taught me to live a more reflective life and find God in every moment. I am originally from Nigeria, West Africa. Currently, I live in the heart of the Midwest in the United States. I consider myself a lifelong learner. I enjoy cooking, watching movies and baking shows. I love reading a good mystery novel. I have read all books written by Agatha Christie and all books in the Sherlock Holmes series. I enjoyed every one of them.
I enjoy writing because it feels like free falling with trust into the arms of God. I find freedom, life, and beauty in praying with poems and scripture. I also contribute to the Living Faith devotionals and feel a lot of gratitude for the opportunity to be a contributor to the Creighton University online ministry reflection webpage.
