The One Lost Sheep

Good sermon this morning on Jesus going after the one lost sheep and leaving the other 99 behind.  I always liked the story.  Still, I will always think of this man who showed up for a few Sundays, then disappeared over the summer.  He called me one day, irate that I had not gone after him, and left the other 99 behind.  I still wonder where he went.

I remember the One Lost Sheep

From two parishes back.

This man strayed

From every congregation

In the western suburbs.

He landed in mine.

He was disturbed that no one

Had found him

Over one summer.

He called,

Irate,

Said he was

The One Lost Sheep.

I had not left

The other 99 in the wilderness

To find him.

We were no good

Either.

I had not been Jesus

To him.

I still think about

That One Lost Sheep.

I wonder whether

He was ever found,

Having strayed from every parish

In the western suburbs.

Even mine.