3-Nov-16

Gospel LK 15:1-10
The tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus,
but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying,
“This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
So Jesus addressed this parable to them.
“What man among you having a hundred sheep and losing one of them
would not leave the ninety-nine in the desert
and go after the lost one until he finds it?
And when he does find it,
he sets it on his shoulders with great joy
and, upon his arrival home,
he calls together his friends and neighbors and says to them,
‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’
I tell you, in just the same way
there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents
than over ninety-nine righteous people
who have no need of repentance.
“Or what woman having ten coins and losing one
would not light a lamp and sweep the house,
searching carefully until she finds it?
And when she does find it,
she calls together her friends and neighbors
and says to them,
‘Rejoice with me because I have found the coin that I lost.’
In just the same way, I tell you,
there will be rejoicing among the angels of God
over one sinner who repents.”
Reflection:
The tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus,
but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying,
“This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
The Pharisees were also thought of as "the separated ones."
They were so committed to conducting themselves in exact accordance with the hundreds of petty laws, rules and traditions prescribed by the scribes that they would not associate with anyone who was not a Pharisee.
I have a tendency of looking down my nose at the Pharisees for their attitude of superiority.
But, it occurs to me that I would be better served to look closely at myself to determine whether I am more like the Pharisees than I care to admit.
I would gladly give money for a cup of coffee to any beggar.
But, would I be comfortable inviting a street person to join me in a coffee shop, to sit and share a cup of coffee?
Truly, I would do well to remember the words of Jesus, "You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor’s eye." Matt 7:5
Jesus has little tolerance for hypocrisy, whether with the Pharisees or with me.
So, Jesus addressed this parable to them,
“What man among you having a hundred sheep and losing one of them
would not leave the ninety-nine in the desert."
Of course, the parable is not really about sheep: It is about parental love. It is about our Father's desire for us to be merciful and seek out all of our sisters and brothers who are lost.
The "lost sheep" not only represents the sinner gone astray from God's family. The sheep also represents the Pharisees among us who are "lost."
"And when he does find it,
he sets it on his shoulders with great joy..."
Whether they are separated by sin or lost in hypocrisy, can I joyfully put my arm around the shoulder of my brother or sister who has strayed from the love of our Father?
Can I embrace them "as they are" in the hope of what they can become?
Through Jesus Christ, our Father calls to us,
"Rejoice with me...,
I tell you, there will be rejoicing among the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
"God's love for the biggest sinner is greater than the holiest man's love of God."   - - Arsenie Boca