There is an inbuilt paradox in parish life. On the one hand, we need to care for the “sheep” who are coming to Church. They need to be pastored, instructed, sanctified. That is a full time commitment. On the other hand, Jesus told his apostles to “Go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” He picks up a similar theme in the parable of the lost sheep where the shepherd leaves the “ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it.” Jesus expects the lost to have priority. The way to resolve this dilemma is for each of the “99 sheep” to search for the lost one so the whole flock can be together.
