God always gives us strength enough, and sense enough, for every thing that He wants us to do.
- John Ruskin (1819-1900) What do you need from God at this
time?
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Romans 14:7-12
Psalm 27:1bcde, 4, 13-14 Luke 15:1-10 The tax collectors and the sinners were all seeking the company of Jesus to hear
what he had to say, and the Pharisees and the scribes complained. ‘This man’ they said ‘welcomes sinners and eats with them.’ So he spoke this parable to them:
‘What man among you with a hundred sheep, losing one, would not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the missing one till he found it? And when he found it, would he not joyfully take it on his shoulders and then, when he got home, call together his friends and neighbours?
“Rejoice with me,” he would say “I have found my sheep that was lost.” In the same way, I tell you, there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one repentant sinner than over ninety-nine virtuous men who have no need of repentance.
‘Or again, what woman with ten drachmas would not, if she lost one, light a lamp and sweep out the house and search thoroughly till she found it? And then, when she had found it, call together her friends and neighbours?
“Rejoice with me,” she would say “I have found the drachma I lost.” In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing among the angels of God over one repentant sinner.’
Reflection on the Scriptures
I love this story because of how it reveals so much about Jesus. The context is important. Jesus is “eating and drinking with sinners.” That is the severe judgment of the religious leaders. While these leaders
stand outside, Jesus tells three insightful stories. [The two parables we have today and the parable of the prodigal son, which is used as a gospel of its own in Lent.] The stories have three audiences: 1. The group of “sinners” having a joyful, celebratory dinner with Jesus, 2. The critics, standing outside, and 3. Us sinners hearing these stories today, as if for the first time. Always ready to heal and reconcile, Jesus raises his voice enough to be heard by the disapproving scolders
outside. The stories have four things in common. Something/someone precious is lost. An intense search begins. The lost is found. A celebration breaks out. The Prodigal son parable adds three elements which enrich the story. 1. The younger son’s sin is really egregious. He as much as says, “Father, I know you aren’t dead, yet, but I’d like my half of
your estate now.” And, he proceeds to squander it self-indulgently. 2. He doesn’t return to his father’s house because he’s sorry. He returns because he’s out of money and hungry. 3. The story comes full circle as the older son – like the religious leaders listening to this parable – protests the father’s mercy, and he refuses to enter into the celebration. This marvelous story is a gift for you and me today. Our hearts are warmed to see Jesus as the defender of the sinner. We’re touched to hear how precious we are, and how much Jesus longs to offer us a joyous return. And, it just might help us to be aware of any tendency we might have to judge others or to resent how merciful Jesus is. Finally, a fresh reading of this story might lead us to speak with our Lord, with gratitude, tenderness, and joy. -by Rev. Andy Alexander, S.J.
The Imitation of Christ, Thomas A. Kempis https://amzn.to/40FrikB Paperback and Kindle versions available BOOK
ONE: Thoughts Helpful in the Life of a Soul
The Seventh Chapter: Avoiding False Hope and Pride
Do not think yourself better than others lest, perhaps, you be accounted worse before God Who knows what is in our hearts. Do not take pride in your good deeds, for God's judgments differ from those of humans and what pleases us often displeases Him. If there is good in you, see more good in others, so that you may remain humble. It does no harm to esteem yourself less than anyone else, but it is very harmful to think yourself better than even one. The humble
live in continuous peace, while in the hearts of the proud are envy and frequent anger.
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