Gospel

Luke 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 stark contrast between the Pharisees self-righteousness and their refusal to look at their weaknesses, and these sinners that are so aware that they are not yet what they should be, and they accept their brokenness, is just so life-giving. And what Jesus sees so clearly in them is, this is what I've come into the world to do, to awaken in people an awareness that the God who created them is a God primarily of forgiveness, understanding, compassion.

The kingdom is founded on forgiveness. And we see in this passage those that are benefiting from it. It's simply those who know they need forgiveness. That's the heart of the message of Jesus.

Closing Prayer

Father, there is no way that we can truly forgive others unless we first forgiven ourselves. This is your gift to us. The gift of the kingdom that we know and understand, the value and the dignity and the importance of forgiveness. And we ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

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