Eliza King sings, ‘Foolish and Ruined’.

The more that I store up, cling to and covet

The less that I truly own

Wiser is she who takes up her perfume

Breaks the jar, let's it flow

On her love she spends it all

Many will say it's foolish

But I have known love and I'm ruined

To those who look on, it's wasteful

But to You, it is beautifully given

Love can look strange to religion

Love can look strange to religion

It cannot be bought with silver or gold

But still will cost all I have

But as treasure decays and earth fades away

There won't be a thing that I lack

So why would I hold my love back?

Many will say it's foolish

But I have known love and I'm ruined

To those who look on, it's wasteful

But to You, it is beautifully given

Love can look strange to religion

Love can look strange to religion

Broken and poured out

My love is fragrant now

I will not withhold

From the lover of my soul

Broken and poured out

My love is fragrant now

I will not withhold

From the lover of my soul

Broken and poured out

My love is fragrant now

I will not withhold

For my love, You're worth it all

Many will say it's foolish

But I have known love and I'm ruined

To those who look on, it's wasteful

But to You, it is beautifully given

Love can look strange to religion

Love can look strange to religion

But I'd rather be foolish and ruined

I'd rather be foolish and ruined

Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke.

Luke 15:1-10

Now all the tax-collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, ‘This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.’

So he told them this parable: ‘Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbours, saying to them, “Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.” Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who need no repentance.

‘Or what woman having ten silver coins, if she loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbours, saying, “Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.” Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.’

What kind of shepherd would abandon ninety-nine sheep to fend for themselves in order to rescue one that had run away? What woman would spend more on the party than the value of coin she’d found? So, ask yourself: what image of God is Jesus presenting here?

The tax collectors and other ‘sinners’ were drawn to Jesus even though they knew him to be so good. Somehow, the vibe he gave off, was not judgement but rather acceptance, welcome and love. What image of God is Jesus giving witness to?

The amazing grace of God is always surprising. You might feel you’re a lost sheep at times, who deserves to stay out in the cold because you got yourself into the mess you’re in. It’s just not how God sees things. Dare you believe that your extravagant God rejoices in you just as you are?

Listen again to Jesus who preaches his gospel in word and in deed.

So he told them this parable: ‘Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbours, saying to them, “Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.” Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who need no repentance.

‘Or what woman having ten silver coins, if she loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbours, saying, “Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.” Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.’

As this time of prayer comes to a close, spend time with the God presented to you by Jesus. Why not speak with Jesus about this image?

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be

World without end

Amen