Seeking the Lost

In this week’s reflection, we draw from Jeremiah 4 and Luke 15 to explore the themes of returning and seeking. Yet we can’t ignore the backdrop of what’s happening in our own nation. Just as the prophet Jeremiah spoke to a people facing turmoil, and Jesus told parables to those longing for hope, we too are living in a time that calls us to pay attention.

Jeremiah’s imagery of a scorching wind and a landscape in disarray isn’t just an ancient warning. It resonates with the challenges we see today—political divides, social unrest, and a sense of moral confusion. We’re reminded that ignoring the storms around us—whether they be injustices, inequities, or the cries of those on the margins—only makes us more lost. This is a call to face the reality of our times with honesty and courage.

In the midst of this, Luke’s Gospel offers a counterbalance: the image of a God who never stops searching for those who are lost. In our current landscape, where many feel unheard or left behind, this is a powerful reminder of our calling as people of faith. We are invited to be part of that search, to reach out with compassion to the immigrant, the marginalized, the ones who are caught in the storms of our societal upheaval.

So as we reflect on these readings and on the state of our nation, we’re called to a dual response. First, to acknowledge the storms and not shy away from them. And second, to actively participate in God’s work of seeking out and restoring those who are lost. In this way, our faith becomes not just a refuge but a call to action—a way to bring hope and healing into a world that needs it more than ever.