Have you ever experienced the pain of a lost relationship? Sometimes we simply grow apart from people we were once close with. Sometimes there are sudden disruptions or heated arguments. Sometimes we say or do things that hurt those we love and sometimes it's them who hurt us.
Relationships need to be nurtured and sustained; it can be especially difficult to repair them once they are broken. Take a moment to reflect on the relationships in your own life which are experiencing some difficulties. What is it that has come between you and others? How does it feel to experience estrangement?
Do you long for reconciliation in these relationships?
In Jesus’ parable of the lost sheep, the shepherd cannot imagine leaving his sheep lost. He must set out in search of it. Reconciliation takes work. We have to climb mountains, scale rocks, lower ourselves into uncomfortable crevices and search for the
restoration of that relationship. How willing are we to embark on this challenging journey?
Let us pray today for the grace of being willing to do the hard work of reconciliation.
