Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish

FR MICHAEL BOAKYE YEBOAH

CATHOLIC ARCHDIOCESE OF KUMASI, GHANA

CURA ANIMARUM

            Cura animarum is a Latin expression which simply means “Cure of Souls.” Technically the term is applied to the exercise of a clerical office involving the instruction by sermons, admonitions, and sanctification through word the sacraments.

            In the Middle Ages this expression designated the authority entrusted by the bishop to a churchman who received a benefice. But ultimately the term cura animarum carries the nuance of a priest caring for the salvation of souls. This was the driving force in the life of priests and all clerics in general. The church celebrates many men and women who have gone before us marked with the sign of faith not precisely because of their academic or worldly achievements but because of how they worked tirelessly to bring the gospel to people and nurture the faith in them. We still remember the names of many clerics who warmed our hearts with God’s word and empathically cared for our souls. These pastors of souls have left indelible marks on us and we can never forget them. We do not forget the impact some nuns have had on us either. The search for Jesus and helping others to find their way to the Father’s house should be the driving force of every Christian community.

            On this 24^th Sunday, Mother Church has given us readings that seem to nuance the call for the care of souls. Jesus in today’s gospel narrates to us three stories that center on the search for a lost item, a thing, or a being. The search for the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son should not be handled as independent stories but rather as stories that connect to one another.

            The first story that Jesus tells is the story of a shepherd who abandoned his ninety-nine member flock of sheep in search for the one lost sheep. Economically and common sense wise, the shepherd made a bad decision. How can a shepherd search for one sheep and risk the loss of the ninety-nine? But the story should be understood in the figurative sense. Figuratively in scriptures, the sheep/lamb always stood for Jesus Christ while a flock of sheep stood for the people of God who follow “the sheep.” In the life of the ninety-nine (that is the flock of sheep), their lives will be worthless unless they find “the sheep” and bring him into their lives. Of what worth is a Christian flock if the one person they are modelling their lives after is not present in their lives? Every Christian flock is in constant search of the “lost sheep.” “Lost” here should not be understood as “Jesus being lost” but rather the absence of Jesus in one’s and an assembly’s lives. Heavenly joy and blessedness will grace a Christian community if the presence of Christ is found in them.

            As a pastor of a flock, do not count the wealth of your congregation based on your numbers and physical structures but rather assess whether the presence of Jesus Christ (the sheep) can be found in the midst of your congregation. In the 21^st century, many churches or congregations can be defined with economic and social characteristics more than the Christ-centeredness which should be the soul/ethos of the church/congregation. Many churches have become money making ventures and if this is the case then there is a “lost sheep” (Jesus Christ) even though the pastor may possess “ninety-nine” sheep. The pastor needs to retreat in search for Jesus Christ “the lost sheep.”

            Pastors and church authorities may be interested in money but the second parable should educate us to note that no matter the amount of coins that one possesses there is the need for the search for that one lost coin. In scripture the coin is always understood within the context of a treasure. You may have wealth all right but you need the treasure; that one treasure that will bring you happiness and this treasure is Jesus Christ. Who can help us to search and find Jesus? The story narrated to us tell us about a woman who went in search for her lost coin. Figuratively we can liken that woman to the Blessed Virgin Mary who works tirelessly in intercessory prayers so that God’s children will discover and possess their treasure of life, her Son Jesus Christ.

            If we happen to find Jesus as our treasure of life then Christian ethics calls that we help find our lost brothers and sisters and bring them to the Father’s house. In the story of the prodigal son, two main “figures” were already living in grace but the prodigal son was outside grace. Our Christian lives can never be complete if we alone find the treasure of life in Jesus but rather the Father’s house will be a complete house if we help bring all God’s lost children back home. None of us should behave like the first son and wish that the lost should continue to stay outside the house of the Father.

            It is this search for lost souls that makes Moses stand tall in scripture. In today’s first reading the Israelites did something that made God angry and He wanted to destroy them but Moses acted as a good pastor of souls (cura animarum). Moses’ intercessions that day did not only save a group of people but saved a nation. Moses has really left us a great lesson. As much as we owe it to ourselves to search for Jesus who seem lost in our lives; it greatly beholds on us  that when grace bring Jesus to our lives, we should help bring others to Jesus. We search for Jesus and once we find him, we go and search for other brothers and sisters who have lost their way and bring them to the Father’s house.

            No one should be left behind. If military agencies can make nemo resideo (no one is left behind) as their working motto and true to their “creed” they do not leave anyone behind, then we Christians should do better. Every soul is important to Jesus. Try and search for Jesus today and once you find him, please bring other lost souls to him. OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP PRAY FOR US.