Jesus Carrying the Fallen Home: Recovering the Divine Image Within

Jesus Carrying the Fallen Home: Recovering the Divine Image Within Today’s Homily examines Luke’s parables of the Lost Sheep and the Lost Coin, . . . . . . traditionally understood as images of God’s mercy toward individual sinners. However, the Homily recalls the early Church Fathers’ broader view: that these parables describe God’s saving action toward all humanity . . . the whole human race as the “lost sheep” and “lost coin.” Christ, the Good Shepherd, leaves heaven to rescue fallen humanity, lifting it upon His shoulders through the Cross and carrying it home in the Resurrection. Yet salvation is not passive . . . grace strengthens sinners to repent and cooperate with redemption. Those who respond actively to grace and strive to restore the divine image within themselves bring great joy to heaven. Humanity made in God’s Image but Disfigured by Sin The parable of the woman and the lost coin deepens this image: the coin bears the image of the King, symbolizing humanity made in God’s image but disfigured by sin. The woman’s lamp represents Christ, the light of the Incarnation, illuminating and searching the “house” of the human soul. True repentance, then, is an interior cleansing—overturning what hides God’s image until it shines again. Finally, as November continues . . . the Church’s month of prayer for the departed . . . the Homily connects this teaching to the work of mercy in praying for souls in purgatory. Just as Christ carries fallen humanity, we carry our departed loved ones by prayer, helping them journey toward full union with God. This act renews the divine image in us as well, joining us to Christ’s redemptive mission and the joy of heaven. Listen to this Meditation Media. Listen to: Jesus Carrying the Fallen Home: Recovering the Divine Image Within The Parable of the Lost Sheep: William George Rich: late 1800s Return to Meditation Media Gospel Reading: Luke 15:1-10 First Reading: Romans 14:7-12