What the Lost Sheep parable says about individuality, tribalism and communion

What the Lost Sheep parable says about individuality, tribalism and communion

June 18, 2026 · 1h 13m

About this episode

The episode discusses the implications of the Lost Sheep parable on individuality and community identity with guest Luke Burgis.

This week on “Jesuitical,” Zac and Ashley sit down with Luke Burgis, the director of the Cluny Institute at The Catholic University of America and the author of The One and the Ninety-Nine: Forging Identity in the Age of Social Contagion. They discuss why we join and leave tribes, how to form a “solid” self and what healthy group identity looks like. In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley discuss Vice President JD Vance’s new memoir on converting to Catholicism, the consecration of the United States to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and new statutes for the Vatican’s commission for the protection of minors. Plus, Pope Leo wraps up his successful trip to Spain on the Canary Islands—but has some trouble getting off them. And in As One Friend Speaks to Another, Zac shares what he’s thinking about going into his very first Father’s Day. 0:00 Intro 3:30 J.D. Vance’s new book “Communion” 9:36 U.S. bishops meet for annual meeting in Orlando 19:44 Pope Leo finishes Spain trip 21:39 Papal plane trouble 24:25 Interview with Luke Burgis 25:52 The parable of the lost sheep 31:16 The age of social contagion 33:56 What Luke learned in seminary 38:05 Is your community good for you? 42:27 People…

People in this episode

Hosts: Zac, Ashley

Guest: Luke Burgis

Topics covered

Keywords

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: The Catholic University of America, Vatican

Books & works: The One and the Ninety-Nine: Forging Identity in the Age of Social Contagion

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