The Lost Sheep

Saving Private Ryan is a 1998 American epic war film directed by Stephen Spielberg. Set during the Invasion of Normandy, France in World War II, the film is notable for its graphic portrayal of war, which includes a depiction of the Omaha Beach assault during the Normandy landings. The film follows United States Army Rangers Captain John H. Miller (Tom Hanks) and his squad of men as they search for a paratrooper, Private First Class James Francis Ryan (Matt Damon), the last surviving brother of four service members killed in combat. Surrounded by the brutal realities of war, while searching for Ryan, each man embarks upon a personal journey and discovers their own strength to triumph over an uncertain future with honor, decency and courage.

The Gospel of Luke (15:1 -32) talks about the parable of the lost sheep. It’s a familiar parable told by Jesus of the Shepard with 100 sheep who loses one and then leaves the 99 to search and find the lost sheep. It’s a parable of redemption, rescue, love and concern.

I know what you’re saying, another war story and the gospel. Let’s think about the two stories. Soldiers were called out to rescue a fellow soldier. The Shepard goes out to find the one lost sheep.  My question to you: Who is the lost sheep? Christ is the Good Shepard, calling out to sinners to be rescued. We are the lost sheep; we are the sinners.  The image of our Lord Jesus Christ carrying the sheep “on his shoulders, rejoicing” is a beautiful image of the love of God saving the sinner. “There will be more joy in heaven over the one sinner who repents.”

We have many lost sheep in our lives, we only have to look with the eyes of Christ to find them. St. Mother Theresa of Calcutta once said, “Stay where you are. Find your Calcutta. Find the sick, the suffering and the lonely right there where you are, in your own homes and in your own families, in your work place and in your schools… You can find Calcutta all over the world, if you have the eyes to see. Everywhere, wherever you go, you find people who are unwanted, unloved, uncared for, just rejected by society- completely forgotten let alone.”

Spoiler alert, in the end of saving private Ryan, Captain John Miller (Tom Hanks) dies saving the life of Private James Francis Ryan (Matt Damon). Christ died for our sins, so that we may have eternal life. Christ will come with an army of Saints to come and rescue you. All you have to do, is listen to the voice of the Good Shepard and ask to be rescued.

St. Mother Theresa of Calcutta, Pray for us.

Barnard of Clairvaux