Lost Sheep

 

The gospel reading from last Sunday, the story of the Canaanite woman, sheds light on true evangelization. People commonly think it is about converting people from some other religion to their own: from Catholicism to Mormonism, say, or Islam to Christianity. But Jesus here actually refuses to do this.

He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.”

Later, it is true, he sends out the disciples to preach and baptize to all nations; but this is apparently a secondary consideration.

This suggests that the primary focus of evangelization, ought to be fellow Christians: those already belonging to the flock, but who have lost their way.

If someone is a devout Hindu, or Muslim, or Jew, it seems malicious to try to convince them that Hinduism or Islam is wrong. Now, they have clear direction in their life. You are trying to rob them of it.

Lost sheep, for us in the task of evangelization, are firstly Christians, or more specifically, for Catholics, Catholics, who are suffering a loss of meaning or direction in their lives. This is not necessarily due to a lack of faith on their part, or culpable. Given that they are believing Christians, it is due to demonic oppression or possession, or some event that has them disoriented and questioning what they thought they knew. They have gotten turned around, confused, often by some false premise or false guide.

In a word, the depressed or “mentally ill.” These are the lost sheep in need of our attention.

This may extend to those of other faiths as well—if they are disoriented and confused in that faith, and feeling unsatisfied. In such cases, they too benefit from learning and embracing the Catholic faith. In such cases, as Jesus with the Canaanite woman, one should stand aloof and let them come to you. It is up to them to indicate such a need and such a desire.

God calls his sheep, and knows who they are. It is not up to you.