Fr. Voigt, "When the Final Sheep is Found"
In the order of creation we find that there are nine choirs of angels who have chosen to obey the loving Creator and are secure in the courts of our God now and forever. Unfortunately there is the lost human sheep who hold the mystery that will end this futile world of ours. In the search for the last of the sheep to be found history is in awe at the incarnation of the Divine Son Who as the good Shepherd is on His search for the last souls to enter the kingdom and fulfill the number of 100. The nine choirs of angels are urging mankind on today that all creation might find its fulfillment in the Good Shepherd's search for number 100.
Why are we lost and how can the Good Shepherd seek us out and return us to the Father? We have sinned and our sin has the power to separate us from the love of God and so we are hiding. But sin has made us the object of God's search. From the beginning when sin entered man and woman God came forth with His cry: "Man, where art thou?" It is not man seeking God but God seeking man because of this sin. So while sin separates it is also that which puts us in the sight of God.
Now the essence of the conflict in all of our souls is that our will (pride) wants to subordinate God's will to do what we want. Pride is a darkness that only wants its way and today more than ever it is found in every nock and corner of the world. God alone can conquer our pride by His consistent humility. Through the injection of the Precious Blood into our veins there is the crushing of the serpent's proud head. Humility will grasp the wayward soul and carry it back to the heart of God the Father. In the deepest recesses of our soul there remains a humble presence which will be activated by the touch of the good Shepherd. When this touch comes the whole of heavens nine choirs of angels rejoice without ceasing.
As St. Paul reminds us that this world is a world of testing and it is futile; it will come to an end. God seeks to fill up the number so that the supernatural 100 will bring the eternal happiness to all those who choose to do the will of God for in that will is our peace. You and I are in the battle with satan for the eternal reward that comes to us because we seek the kingdom of God over all that this world and its allurements can offer us. Make no mistake here.
You are tested in order to receive the ultimate goal of all life: the Beatific Vision. All of our sufferings and pains are the price we pay to enter by the narrow way. The rejoicing will be beyond imagination when the lost sheep come home. It will be supercharged when the last groat is found. Persevere in the test and the prize is yours.
In the hearts of Jesus, Mary and Joseph,
Fr. Richard Voigt