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Today is the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. It is a feast that grew up in the Middle Ages and was finally accepted by Rome in 1856 as a feast celebrating Jesus' love for us. For me that image of a beating heart-- the heart of Jesus-- is all about unity, which is the theme of the Gospel we read today (Lk 15: 3-7), the story of the lost sheep.
We all know the parable. It is about a single sheep lost from a flock of 100, and how the shepherd would leave the remaining 99 in the desert to search for the one which was lost. When the lost sheep is found, the parable goes, there is great rejoicing, just as there is great rejoicing in heaven when one sinner repents.
At first glance the story seems shocking-- who would risk 99 sheep to save one? But that isn't what is going on. The 99 are actually quite safe, because they have remained in the flock, and the flock protects them from predators. The one, by itself, is at great risk from predators.
That's why there is such rejoicing when the one is found, beause there was such great concern. The continuing presence of the 99 doesn't provoke rejoicing because they were never at risk.
Being in the flock is the place of safety; outside is the place of risk. Maybe that's why Jesus says there should be one flock, and one shepherd (John 10:16).
So when we're tempted to say we're fed up with the Church, and want to find something else, we might remember the point of this parable. Maybe it looks attractive to be out there on your own-- like one of the "nones"-- but there isn't much safety there. There is no one who has your back, no one who is walking with you when things get difficult, no one to consult for guidance.
OK, you might say, I can do it own my own. I'm strong and smart and independent.
No, actually you aren't and you can't. Spiritual independence ("I'm spiritual, I'm just not religious") is a form of egoism. It leads inevitably to a kind of nihilism, a formless, contentless God who ultimately has no impact on our lives and leaves us alone and empty.
There is great risk in trying to make it outside the flock, and there really are great shepherds out there who can help guide you back. Please, listen to them.
