(Ez.34:11-16; Ps.23:1-6; Rm.5:5-11; Lk.15:3-7) "I have found my lost sheep." "We have found reconciliation" through the blood of Jesus Christ. So the Apostle Paul tells us, and so we know to the depths of our hearts, which are united to His Sacred Heart. Once we were sinners, scattered like sheep on the hillside, but the Lamb of God has come and died for us, and so we His scattered sheep are led home. He has brought to fulfillment the promise of the Father to walk among us and rescue us from the darkness that envelops this world. "The lost," "the strayed," "the injured," "the sick," He has come to lead back to the bosom of the Father, where we may take refuge in His Sacred Heart. "While we were still sinners, Christ died for us"; so let us recognize our sin that His blood might be efficacious. Let us not deny His grace as "people who have no need to repent." For if we say we are righteous, the darkness will continue to surround us and He will not be beside us to guide us to the Father's pasture: we will be left alone and forsaken. No, let us cause heaven to rejoice by repenting of our sin each day and always finding His blood at work within us. To what pasture He leads us! What protection we find even in this life, a blessing known especially in His Sacrament. And what future awaits us in His heavenly kingdom. We taste it and make our boast in it now, but there it shall be known in its fullness when, indeed, nothing shall ever harm us. "For, now we rejoice in the refuge He gives as we "walk in the dark valley"; even still He is gathering His scattered sheep. Yes, to this day He moves among us as our Shepherd, and then we shall rest eternally in the Father's arms. We give thanks to the Lord for the blessings He provides us on our path to His glory. We thank Him for His Church and its sacraments. We come to the altar and receive His sacrifice this day, knowing we are not worthy of such a call. But we confess our sins to Him. We seek His forgiveness through the ministry of the shepherds He has left us, and His mercy finds a place in us. Sacred Heart of Jesus, thank you for your grace and mercy. Lead us home to the Father's arms. O Lord, like sheep we have all gone astray; lead us back today, and on your holy mountain may we take rest. Written, read & chanted by James Kurt; produced by Roger Fortney. Music by Roger Fortney; used by permission. ******* O LORD, in your mercy and love shepherd us to restful waters. YHWH, is it not the blood of your Son that reconciles us to you, that shepherds us into your kingdom? And so, does Heaven not now await every repentant sinner? O let us rejoice in your presence with all who have found your forgiveness! Your promise is sure, dear God. You promise to come among us and lead all straying souls back to you, back to your holy mountain; and this you have accomplished by sending your Son to die for our sins. And now by the grace upon us by virtue of His sacrifice, your Spirit guides us in right paths to your House, where we shall dwell forever in your peace. Why do you love us so, dear LORD? Why does your Son so freely lay down His life for godless men like us? O let us but accept the healing grace that comes to us because of your compassion! Let all souls repent of their sin and rejoice in Heaven, in your Sacred Heart.