Gospel: Luke 15:1-10
Meanwhile tax collectors and sinners were seeking the company of Jesus, all of them eager to hear what he had to say. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law frowned at this, muttering, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” So Jesus told them this parable: “Who among you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, will not leave the ninetynine in the wilderness, and seek the lost one till he finds it? And finding it, will he not joyfully carry it home on his shoulders? Then he will call his friends and neighbors together, and say, ‘Celebrate with me, for I have found my lost sheep!’ I tell you, in the same way, there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one repentant sinner, than over ninety-nine decent people, who do not need to repent. What woman, if she has ten silver coins and loses one, will not light a lamp, and sweep the house in a thorough search, till she finds the lost coin? And finding it, she will call her friends and neighbors, and say, ‘Celebrate with me, for I have found the silver coin I lost!’ I tell you, in the same way, there is rejoicing among the angels of God over one repentant sinner.”
Reflection:
“Closeness is God’s style."
Pope Francis reminds us that “closeness is God’s style.” This reaching out to the broken, the sinful and the wounded was unthinkable to the Pharisees. However, to keep one’s distance is the recipe for a shrinking flock, a diminished Church. If the shepherd simply guards the sheep who do not stray, he might not lose just one, but many others, who will follow the example of the straying sheep. God sent his Son to seek out the lost sheep. Christ not only sits at table with sinners, but in the wider perspective, he joins all of us in our humanity to seek us out and to carry us back to a place of safety and revival (Ps 23:2-3). The Church is tasked with continuing Christ’s saving mission, and to rejoice in those who come to God or return to him with renewed vigor. Therefore, members of the Church shouldn’t content themselves with the flock that remains, but should also reach out to those who have drifted from the Church, to those who have difficulty with Church teaching, and to those who have not yet heard the Gospel of Christ. “Closeness is God’s style.” May it be our style too.
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