The Parables of the Lost Sheep and Lost Coin

Today's Reflections

The Parables of the Lost Sheep and Lost Coin 

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Lk 15:1-10

¹The tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to [Jesus], ²but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” ³So to them he addressed this parable. ⁴“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? ⁵And when he does find it, he sets it on his shoulders with great joy ⁶and, 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.’ ⁷I 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.

⁸“Or what woman having ten coins and losing one would not light a lamp and sweep the house, searching carefully until she finds it? ⁹And 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.’ ¹⁰In just the same way, I tell you, there will be rejoicing among the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

Reflection:

My lost sheep. The lost sheep or the missing coin, though small or insignificant, highlights the reality that God will always look for us whenever we have strayed from the right path or wandered far from the flock. In the eyes of God everyone is important, valuable, special, and precious. God will do everything to find us and bring us back to his loving fold. He will take the risks to rescue us, to save us, even to the point of suffering and death on the cross. A worthless sinner is not lost but is a precious soul waiting to be saved.

And when God finds us, there is no recrimination, no condemnation, no bitter words and accusing fingers. Instead, we will experience the Lord’s forgiveness, mercy, compassion, understanding, comfort, love, and joy.

Do you hesitate to reconcile with God

for fear of being harshly reprimanded by his ministers?

Do you take the time to help someone

be reconciled with the Lord?