Daily Catholic Reflection: November 5, 2020, Thursday of the Thirty-first Week in Ordinary Time, Year A

Philippians 3 :3-8a,

Psalm 105.2-3.4-5.6-7,

Luke 15: 1-10 Full Readings

Saint Peter Chrysologus

 The Joy for A Repentant Sinner

Today's Gospel presents to us two parables: the parable of the lost sheep and the parable of the lost coin. These parables are all in the context of welcoming sinners, because Jesus told them when the Pharisees asked him why he associates with sinners. These parables pass the same message, that there is joy in heaven when a sinner repents, this also presupposes joy in the church here on earth.

Brethren, Humanly speaking, the parables of the gospel reading seem senseless and illogical. But as per Jesus’ teaching, God’s logic is totally different from human logic. God is more interested in the repentance and conversion of even one sinner than in the holiness of the many righteous people who have no need of repentance. As children of God and followers of Christ we should seek for the conversion of sinners at all costs. The salvation of souls should be our utmost priority.

These are Lukan stories of forgiveness. They begin a whole section of the Lukan Gospel which has been called ‘the Gospel of the Outcast’ (up to the call of Zacchaeus) because of the frequency of call to several kinds of outcasts. The first two parables form a typical Lukan pair. First comes the story of the lost sheep, which comes also in Matthew. In the chapter on the community, Matthew is stressing the obligation of all to care for each. Luke, however, puts the whole accent on the joy in heaven at the return of the sinner. In each case the joy induces a certain lack of calm balance. It is scarcely wise and logical for the shepherd to leave the 99 sheep to predators and thieves while he goes scouring the rocky ravines. What's more shocking is that he makes a party and even slaughters more sheep than the one he was looking for. Who can do this for just finding a mere sheep? 

 

Then, to the story of the man looking for his sheep, Luke adds the story of a woman looking for her lost coin. He is always careful to show that women have an equal part in the Kingdom with men. So he deliberately pairs Zechariah and Mary, Simeon and Anna, Jairus’ daughter raised to life with the Widow of Naim’s son, and so on. In this case one can picture the woman sweeping out the dusty earth floor of the ill-lit single room (no windows). The lack of balance is surely that the party for the neighbours will cost more than the single coin recovered. This is very illogical, but why does Jesus tell these parables?

These parables show that God is concerned and cares for everyone of us individually. God does not delight in the death of even one sinner and so has to make sure everyone one is not lost. The love of a shepherd for his sheep represents the love of God. A shepherd can look for a sheep which may have lost its way out of ignorance but for us we have conscience with freedom and deliberately decide to sin but God looks for us still. What great love it is! We however need to respond to his voice when he is looking for us. 

It is worth remarking that in both cases the initiative comes from the shepherd and housewife respectively. We do not save ourselves, and repentance is a favour of God. We however need to cooperate with God in saving us, because it is unfortunate when he comes looking for us and we hide the more. I tell you it is joy not only in heaven but also with ourselves and the whole church when we again unite with God. 

Reflect today on the love of God and your readiness to listen to the voice of God as he looks for you. Reflect also on the joy that is experienced when you are reunited with God again and how you long for it.

Let us Pray

Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner. As such, I am so grateful to you for patiently and continuously offering your mercy to me. May I neither despair of, nor presume of, your mercy. Increase my reliance upon your grace to strengthen me in the face of temptation and difficulties. Also help me to be your instrument to communicate your goodness to souls in need of your mercy. Amen

Be blessed