Lost and Found
by Momong 
November 8th, 2007 [Thursday]
Luke 15: 1-10
Rom 14:7-12/Ps 27
In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.
(Luke 15:10)
Be God’s instrument of conversion,
Bring a lost sheep back to His fold;
As Jesus showed in His mission,
In this task everyone is called.
Now the tax collectors and “sinners” were all gathering around to hear him. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” Then Jesus told them this parable: “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Does she not light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” (Luke 15: 1-10)
Reflection
The Pharisees and scribes felt that their criticism of Jesus was justified in the context of the Scriptures that said: “Blessed are those who do not keep company with sinners.” (Ps 1:1) But the psalm referred to those who tolerated the sinful activities of bad company. To illustrate His true intention, our Lord related the parable of the Lost Sheep and the Lost Coin, and then followed them with the most beautiful parable of all: The Prodigal Son. The message here is that conversion or deliverance always comes first as God’s initiative. His acceptance of their company could be the first step in the right direction for their lives. The important thing was that He was seeking them out, because, as He said, “I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.” (Mt.9:13)
Jesus asks us, “Who among you, having a hundred members in your community, and losing one of them, will not leave the ninety-nine and seek out the errant member, and try to bring him back to active status?” How concerned are we when one of our brothers takes a fall (his car was spotted going to a motel, or he lost a bundle in the casino)? Do we find ways to get him into a one-on-one dialogue? Or are we instead relieved that he is no longer attending our fellowships and prayer assemblies?
Our Lord shows us in this parable that we must be willing to get our pristine-white clothes dirty in order to find a lost sheep or a lost coin. He Himself, the Creator of the universe, became a man to elevate us to His glory and kingship (setting us on His shoulders). Even in our sinfulness, in the name of love, because He is Love, He took a big gamble not only in becoming a man (vulnerable to temptation), but in offering us a place in His divinity, notwithstanding our sinful nature.
Teach us, dear God, to imitate our Good Shepherd: to discard our prejudices and our feelings of righteousness, and to seek out brothers and sisters who have wandered away from our flock. After all, we are all sinners; we are all in need of repentance. Amen.
Posted in Conversion, Parables | 
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