Matthew 18:12-14 NABRE
“If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine in the hills and go in search of the stray? And if he finds it, amen, I say to you, he rejoices more over it than over the ninety-nine that did not stray. In just the same way, it is not the will of your heavenly Father that one of these little ones be lost.”
Matthew 9:11-13 NABRE
“The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples, ‘Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?‘ He heard this and said, ‘Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. Go and learn the meaning of the words, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.'”
Jesus did not come for the righteous, He came to save sinners. Jesus is the Divine Physician and we need His healing. He is the Good Shepherd. He leaves the ninety-nine to find the one that strayed.
I have a tendency to get upset or frustrated when I feel distant from God. It is not always a bad thing to feel distant from God. Sure, it’s not a great feeling. Although it’s not a great feeling, it can be incredibly fruitful if we take advantage of the opportunity God has given to us. He allows you to undergo temptation and trials to strengthen you. I do not mean to insinuate that God is not everywhere or that God is too busy. God is everywhere and He is never too busy for you.
What I mean is that feeling distant or lonely does not mean that you are not loved and cared for by the One who created you. God loves you so much and knows you better than you know yourself. He knows that you can undergo trials because of your faith in Him and because He will shower you with the grace you need to persevere. That does not mean it will be easy. Sometimes you will feel like your world is falling apart. Sometimes you will feel that you can’t push on any further. Sometimes you will feel completely overwhelmed that you seem to be paralyzed. Don’t be afraid of these feelings.
It is OK to feel this way. It is OK to struggle. The most important thing is to run to the Father. Only He can fulfill you. Only He can sustain you. Only He can give you what you need to persevere to the end.
Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty,
My memory, my understanding
And my entire will,
All I have and call my own.
You have given all to me.
To you, Lord, I return it.
Everything is yours; do with it what you will.
Give me only your love and your grace.
That is enough for me.
Amen.
Prayer of St. Ignatius of Loyola
Catholicism Rekindled 