Thursday of the Thirty-first Week in Ordinary
Time
Lectionary: 488
Lectionary: 488
Brothers and sisters:
We are the circumcision,
we who worship through the Spirit of God,
who boast in Christ Jesus and do not put our confidence in flesh,
although I myself have grounds for confidence even in the flesh.
If anyone else thinks he can be confident in flesh, all the more can I.
Circumcised on the eighth day,
of the race of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin,
a Hebrew of Hebrew parentage,
in observance of the law a Pharisee,
in zeal I persecuted the Church,
in righteousness based on the law I was blameless.
But whatever gains I had,
these I have come to consider a loss because of Christ.
More than that, I even consider everything as a loss
because of the supreme good of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.
We are the circumcision,
we who worship through the Spirit of God,
who boast in Christ Jesus and do not put our confidence in flesh,
although I myself have grounds for confidence even in the flesh.
If anyone else thinks he can be confident in flesh, all the more can I.
Circumcised on the eighth day,
of the race of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin,
a Hebrew of Hebrew parentage,
in observance of the law a Pharisee,
in zeal I persecuted the Church,
in righteousness based on the law I was blameless.
But whatever gains I had,
these I have come to consider a loss because of Christ.
More than that, I even consider everything as a loss
because of the supreme good of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 105:2-3, 4-5, 6-7
R. (3b) Let
hearts rejoice who search for the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Sing to him, sing his praise,
proclaim all his wondrous deeds.
Glory in his holy name;
rejoice, O hearts that seek the LORD!
R. Let hearts rejoice who search for the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Look to the LORD in his strength;
seek to serve him constantly.
Recall the wondrous deeds that he has wrought,
his portents, and the judgments he has uttered.
R. Let hearts rejoice who search for the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
You descendants of Abraham, his servants,
sons of Jacob, his chosen ones!
He, the LORD, is our God;
throughout the earth his judgments prevail.
R. Let hearts rejoice who search for the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Sing to him, sing his praise,
proclaim all his wondrous deeds.
Glory in his holy name;
rejoice, O hearts that seek the LORD!
R. Let hearts rejoice who search for the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Look to the LORD in his strength;
seek to serve him constantly.
Recall the wondrous deeds that he has wrought,
his portents, and the judgments he has uttered.
R. Let hearts rejoice who search for the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
You descendants of Abraham, his servants,
sons of Jacob, his chosen ones!
He, the LORD, is our God;
throughout the earth his judgments prevail.
R. Let hearts rejoice who search for the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Gospel Lk 15:1-10
The tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen
to Jesus,
but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying,
"This man welcomes sinners and eats with them."
So Jesus addressed this parable to them.
"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?
And when he does find it,
he sets it on his shoulders with great joy
and, 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.'
I 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.
"Or what woman having ten coins and losing one
would not light a lamp and sweep the house,
searching carefully until she finds it?
And 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.'
In just the same way, I tell you,
there will be rejoicing among the angels of God
over one sinner who repents."
but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying,
"This man welcomes sinners and eats with them."
So Jesus addressed this parable to them.
"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?
And when he does find it,
he sets it on his shoulders with great joy
and, 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.'
I 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.
"Or what woman having ten coins and losing one
would not light a lamp and sweep the house,
searching carefully until she finds it?
And 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.'
In just the same way, I tell you,
there will be rejoicing among the angels of God
over one sinner who repents."
www.usccb.org
Meditation:"Tax collectors and sinners were all
drawing near to hear Jesus"
Do
you ever feel resentful or get upset when someone else gets treated better than
you think they deserve? The scribes and Pharisees took great offense at Jesus
because he went out of his way to meet with sinners and he treated them like
they were his friends. The Pharisees had strict regulations about how they were
to keep away from sinners, lest they incur ritual defilement. They were not to
entrust money to them or have any business dealings with them, nor trust them
with a secret, nor entrust orphans to their care, nor accompany them on a
journey, nor give their daughter in marriage to any of their sons, nor invite
them as guests or be their guests. They were shocked with the way in which
Jesus freely received sinners and ate with them. Sinners, nonetheless, were drawn to Jesus to hear him speak about the mercy of God. Jesus
characteristically answered the Pharisees' charge with a parable or lesson
drawn from everyday life.What does Jesus' story about a lost sheep and a lost coin tell us about God and his kingdom? Shepherds normally counted their sheep at the end of the day to make sure all were accounted for. Since sheep by their very nature are very social, an isolated sheep can quickly become bewildered and even neurotic. The shepherd's grief and anxiety is turned to joy when he finds the lost sheep and restores it to the fold. The housewife who lost a coin faced something of an economic disaster, since the value of the coin would be equivalent to her husband's daily wage. What would she say to her husband when he returned home from work? They were poor and would suffer greatly because of the loss. Her grief and anxiety turn to joy when she finds the coin. Both the shepherd and the housewife "search until what they have lost is found." Their persistence pays off. They both instinctively share their joy with the whole community. The poor are particularly good at sharing in one another's sorrows and joys. What was new in Jesus' teaching was the insistence that sinners must be sought out and not merely mourned for. God does not rejoice in the loss of anyone, but desires that all be saved and restored to fellowship with him. That is why the whole community of heaven rejoices when one sinner is found and restored to fellowship with God. Seekers of the lost are much needed today. Do you persistently pray and seek after those you know who have lost their way to God?
"Lord Jesus, let your light dispel the darkness that what is lost may be found and restored. Let your light shine through me that others may see your truth and love and find hope and peace in you. May I never doubt your love nor take for granted the mercy you have shown to me. Fill me with your transforming love that I may be merciful as you are merciful."
www.dailyscripture.net
 Keeping the Right Company |
Thursday of the Thirty-First Week in
Ordinary Time
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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 neighbors, 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 persons 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 neighbors, 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."
Introductory Prayer: Lord God, I believe that you are
present here for this moment of prayer. Even if I have not really longed for
this time together, I know that you have been waiting for me. As an
expression of my gratitude and love, I truly wish to give myself totally to
you during this meditation.
Petition: Lord, grant me
greater zeal for the salvation of souls.
1. You Can Judge a Man by the Company He Keeps: Our Lord took a considerable
amount of flak from the Pharisees for taking time to get to know the less
respectable crowd. In those days, “sinners” were marginalized and treated
with contempt. Today, attitudes have changed. Folks that were considered
sinners back then would now be mainstream; some of them would probably even
be celebrities. But one thing is still the same: People still judge others by
the company they keep. For better or worse, people are judged by their
associations. That brings up a good question. I am a Catholic. I receive the
Eucharist frequently. Jesus is spending a lot of time with me. Would people
be able to tell that I have been spending time with the Lord? What would they
think of Christ and his influence on me? Are the Lord’s standards reflected
in my life?
2. The 99 Safe Sheep: Jesus’ description of going out to get
the sinner is truly consoling. Perhaps this brings up a beautiful memory of
how he came to my rescue, when I was one of the wooly ones wandering far from
the flock. But that’s now a changed scenario. I am in the flock. How do I
stay here and keep from wandering off? The Good Shepherd gives us so many
tools, but I need to use them. If I slacken in my prayer life and participate
with routine and lack of fervor in the sacraments, I may find myself
wondering what other pastures may be like. Let’s focus on being faithful
within the beautiful flock of the Church.
3. Fireworks in Heaven: Returning to the
thought about people judging others based on the company they keep, we can
easily see why those judgments occur: People that spend time together often
start to become like each other, since they share many of the same interests.
Jesus reveals in the parable what his driving, passionate interest is: the
salvation of the individual soul. “There will be more joy in heaven over one
sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no
repentance.” The Lord is always looking to set off fireworks in heaven with
one more conversion. If I’m hanging around Jesus enough, I’m probably starting
to sound like him. If not, am I really spending as much time with him as I
think? Am I trying to bring back the lost sheep that I know?
Conversation with Christ: Jesus, you lifted up
the sinners around you — so many of them became saints. Let me soak up the
grace of your divine influence so that I will truly reflect in my actions the
reality of your work in my soul. Grant me a little portion of the burning
desire you had to bring back the lost sheep.
Resolution: I will write a letter
or email to a friend or relative who has drifted away from the Church, hoping
that even a little “hello” may plant a positive seed.
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www.regnumchristi.com
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8
LUKE 15:1-10
(Philippians 3:3-8a; Psalm 105)
KEY VERSE: "There will be great rejoicing among the angels of God over one sinner who repents" (v 10).
READING: The Pharisees and scribes charged Jesus with welcoming sinners and eating with them (Lk 15:2). The Pharisees refused to be the guests of such persons or to have them as guests, or, as far as possible, to have any business dealings with them. It was to these self righteous leaders that Jesus directed his parables on the merciful love of God. The compassionate God was compared to a shepherd who hunted for his lost sheep and a woman who searched for her lost coin, and their joy in finding what was lost. These parables have been called "the gospel in the gospel" as they contain the very essence of the good news that Jesus came to preach. The joy of a homemaker or a shepherd who lost their most precious possessions and then found them again, is the joy of God and of all the angels when one sinner returns home,
REFLECTING: Do I avail myself of God's mercy in the Sacrament of Reconciliation?
PRAYING: Lord, Jesus thank you for forgiving me my sins and welcoming me back to the community.
LUKE 15:1-10
(Philippians 3:3-8a; Psalm 105)
KEY VERSE: "There will be great rejoicing among the angels of God over one sinner who repents" (v 10).
READING: The Pharisees and scribes charged Jesus with welcoming sinners and eating with them (Lk 15:2). The Pharisees refused to be the guests of such persons or to have them as guests, or, as far as possible, to have any business dealings with them. It was to these self righteous leaders that Jesus directed his parables on the merciful love of God. The compassionate God was compared to a shepherd who hunted for his lost sheep and a woman who searched for her lost coin, and their joy in finding what was lost. These parables have been called "the gospel in the gospel" as they contain the very essence of the good news that Jesus came to preach. The joy of a homemaker or a shepherd who lost their most precious possessions and then found them again, is the joy of God and of all the angels when one sinner returns home,
REFLECTING: Do I avail myself of God's mercy in the Sacrament of Reconciliation?
PRAYING: Lord, Jesus thank you for forgiving me my sins and welcoming me back to the community.
www.daily-word-of-life.com
Let
hearts rejoice who search for the Lord
‘I have found my sheep that was lost.’
The parable of the
lost sheep brings to mind all the different people in our world, and
particularly the lonely ones who become lost in the crowd. Jesus wants us to
rejoice as they return to the fold. I’m reminded of the beggars on the streets
of Kolkata or the prisoners society has cast out because of their ‘sins’.
Jesus suggests we
would not forget a sheep lost from our own flock yet we rarely cast a thought
towards these maligned members of our society. How can this be? Perhaps we
don’t see them as our brothers and sisters. Let us strive for a forgiving and
generous heart, and the courage to stand in solidarity with the lost sheep of
our world.
www.churchresources.info
November 8
Blessed John Duns Scotus
(c. 1266-1308)
Blessed John Duns Scotus
(c. 1266-1308)
A humble man, John Duns Scotus has been
one of the most influential Franciscans through the centuries.
Born at Duns in
the county of Berwick, Scotland, John was descended from a wealthy farming
family. In later years he was identified as John Duns Scotus to indicate the
land of his birth; Scotia is the Latin name for Scotland.
John received
the habit of the Friars Minor at Dumfries, where his uncle Elias Duns was
superior. After novitiate John studied at Oxford and Paris and was ordained in
1291. More studies in Paris followed until 1297, when he returned to lecture at
Oxford and Cambridge. Four years later he returned to Paris to teach and
complete the requirements for the doctorate.
In an age when
many people adopted whole systems of thought without qualification, John
pointed out the richness of the Augustinian-Franciscan tradition, appreciated
the wisdom of Aquinas, Aristotle and the Muslim philosophers—and still managed
to be an independent thinker. That quality was proven in 1303 when King Philip
the Fair tried to enlist the University of Paris on his side in a dispute with
Pope Boniface VIII. John Duns Scotus dissented and was given three days to leave
France.
In Scotus’s
time, some philosophers held that people are basically determined by forces
outside themselves. Free will is an illusion, they argued. An ever practical
man, Scotus said that if he started beating someone who denied free will, the person
would immediately tell him to stop. But if Scotus didn’t really have a free
will, how could he stop? John had a knack for finding illustrations his
students could remember!
After a short
stay in Oxford he returned to Paris, where he received the doctorate in 1305.
He continued teaching there and in 1307 so ably defended the Immaculate
Conception of Mary that the university officially adopted his position. That
same year the minister general assigned him to the Franciscan school in Cologne
where John died in 1308. He is buried in the Franciscan church near the famous
Cologne cathedral.
Drawing on the
work of John Duns Scotus, Pope Pius IX solemnly defined the Immaculate
Conception of Mary in 1854. John Duns Scotus, the "Subtle Doctor,"
was beatified in 1993.
Comment:
Father Charles Balic, O.F.M., the foremost 20th-century authority on Scotus, has written: "The whole of Scotus's theology is dominated by the notion of love. The characteristic note of this love is its absolute freedom. As love becomes more perfect and intense, freedom becomes more noble and integral both in God and in man" (New Catholic Encyclopedia, Vol. 4, p. 1105).
Father Charles Balic, O.F.M., the foremost 20th-century authority on Scotus, has written: "The whole of Scotus's theology is dominated by the notion of love. The characteristic note of this love is its absolute freedom. As love becomes more perfect and intense, freedom becomes more noble and integral both in God and in man" (New Catholic Encyclopedia, Vol. 4, p. 1105).
Quote:
Intelligence hardly guarantees holiness. But John Duns Scotus was not only brilliant, he was also humble and prayerful—the exact combination St. Francis wanted in any friar who studied. In a day when French nationalism threatened the rights of the pope, Scotus sided with the papacy and paid the price. He also defended human freedom against those who would compromise it by determinism.
Intelligence hardly guarantees holiness. But John Duns Scotus was not only brilliant, he was also humble and prayerful—the exact combination St. Francis wanted in any friar who studied. In a day when French nationalism threatened the rights of the pope, Scotus sided with the papacy and paid the price. He also defended human freedom against those who would compromise it by determinism.
Ideas are important. John Duns Scotus placed his best thinking at
the service of the human family and of the Church.
www.americancatholic.org
St. Castorius
Feastday:
November 8
Patron
of sculptors, stonemasons, stonecutters; against fever; cattle
St. Castorius is the patron saint of
sculptors and his feast day is November 8th. Castorius, Claudius, Nicostratus,
and Symphorian are called "the four crowned martyrs" who were
tortured and executed in Pannonia, Hungary during the reign of Diocletian.
According to legend, they were employed as carvers at Sirmium (Mitrovica,
Yugoslavia) and impressed Diocletian with their art, as did another carver,
Simplicius. Diocletian commissioned them to do several carvings, which they did
to his satisfaction, but they then refused to carve a statue of Aesculapius, as
they were Christians. The emperor accepted their beliefs, but when they refused
to sacrifice to the gods, they were imprisoned. When Diocletian's officer
Lampadius, who was trying to convince them to sacrifice to the gods, suddenly
died, his relatives accused the five of his death; to placate the relatives,
the emperor had them executed. Another story has four unnamed Corniculari
beaten to death in Rome with leaden whips when they refused to offer sacrifice
to Aesculapius. They were buried on the Via Lavicana and were later given their
names by Pope Militiades. Probably they were the four Pannonian martyrs (not
counting Simplicius) whose remains were translated to Rome and buried in the
Four Crowned Ones basilica there. A further complication is the confusion of
their story with that of the group of martyrs associated with St. Carpophorus
in the Roman Martyrology under November 8th.
www.catholic.org
BL. ELIZABETH OF THE
TRINITY (OCD), VIRGIN (M)
Liturgy:
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Elizabeth Catez was
born on 18th July 1880 in Campo d'Avor near Bourges, France, and she was
baptized four days later. In 1887, her family moved to Dijon where her father
died the same year. On 19th April 1890, she made her First Communion and the
following year, she was confirmed. In 1894, she took a vow of virginity.
Feeling called to
enter the religious life, she asked permission of her mother to enter Carmel
but she received a firm refusal, and her mother only finally gave way on
condition that Elizabeth waited until she was older. On 2nd August 1901, she
entered the Carmel at Dijon where she was clothed in the habit on 8th December
1901. She made her religious profession on 11th January 1903 and 21st January
the same year she was given the monastic veil. The five years that she spent in
religious life brought her ever closer to God although the Lord tested her with
many spiritual trials and severe physical suffering due to Addison's disease
which finally brought about her death on 9th November 1906.
LECTIO: LUKE 15,1-10
Lectio:
Thursday,
November 8, 2012
Ordinary Time
1) Opening prayer
God of power and mercy,
only with your help
can we offer you fitting service and praise.
May we live the faith we profess
and trust your promise of eternal life.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
only with your help
can we offer you fitting service and praise.
May we live the faith we profess
and trust your promise of eternal life.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
2) Gospel reading -
Luke 15,1-10
The tax collectors and sinners, however, were
all crowding round to listen to Jesus, and the Pharisees and scribes complained
saying, 'This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.'
So he told them this parable: 'Which one of you with a hundred sheep, if he lost one, would fail to leave the ninety-nine in the desert and go after the missing one till he found it? And when he found it, would he not joyfully take it on his shoulders and then, when he got home, call together his friends and neighbours, saying to them, "Rejoice with me, I have found my sheep that was lost."
In the same way, I tell you, there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner repenting than over ninety-nine upright people who have no need of repentance.
'Or again, what woman with ten drachmas would not, if she lost one, light a lamp and sweep out the house and search thoroughly till she found it? And then, when she had found it, call together her friends and neighbours, saying to them, "Rejoice with me, I have found the drachma I lost."
In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing among the angels of God over one repentant sinner.'
So he told them this parable: 'Which one of you with a hundred sheep, if he lost one, would fail to leave the ninety-nine in the desert and go after the missing one till he found it? And when he found it, would he not joyfully take it on his shoulders and then, when he got home, call together his friends and neighbours, saying to them, "Rejoice with me, I have found my sheep that was lost."
In the same way, I tell you, there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner repenting than over ninety-nine upright people who have no need of repentance.
'Or again, what woman with ten drachmas would not, if she lost one, light a lamp and sweep out the house and search thoroughly till she found it? And then, when she had found it, call together her friends and neighbours, saying to them, "Rejoice with me, I have found the drachma I lost."
In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing among the angels of God over one repentant sinner.'
3) Reflection
• The Gospel today presents the first one of
three parables united among themselves by one same word. It is a question of
three things which were lost: the lost sheep (Lk 15, 3-7), the lost drachma (Lk
15, 8-10), and the lost son (Lk 15.11-32). The three parables are addressed to
the Pharisees and to the Doctors of the Law who criticized Jesus (Lk 15, 1-3).
That is, they are addressed to the Pharisee and to the Scribe or doctor of the
Law which is in each one of us.
• Luke 15, 1-3: Those to whom the parables are addressed. The first three verses describe the context in which the three parables were pronounced: “At that time, the tax collectors and sinners were all crowding round to listen to him. The Pharisees and Scribes complained”. On one side there were the tax collectors and the sinners; on the other the Pharisees and the Doctors of the Law. Luke speaks exaggerating somewhat: “The tax collectors and the sinners were all crowding round to listen to Jesus”. There was something in Jesus which attracted them. It is the word of Jesus which attracts them (cf. Is 50, 4). They want to listen to him. This is a sign that they do not feel condemned, but rather they feel accepted by him. The criticism of the Pharisees and the Scribes is the following: "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them!” When sending out the seventy-two disciples (Lk 10, 1-9), Jesus had ordered them to accept the excluded, the sick, the possessed (Mt 10, 8; Lk 10, 9) and to gather them for the banquet (Lk 10, 8).
• Luke 15, 4: The Parable of the lost sheep. The parable of the lost sheep begins with a question: “Which one of you with a hundred sheep, if he lost one, would fail to leave the ninety-nine in the desert and go after the missing one till he found it?” Before giving a response, Jesus must have looked around to see who was listening to him to see how they would have answered. The question is formulated in such a way that the response can only be a positive one: “Yes, he will go after the lost sheep!” And you, how would you answer? Would you leave the ninety-nine in the field to go and look for the only one which got lost? Who would do this? Probably, the majority would have answered: “Jesus, who among us? Nobody would do such an absurd thing. The proverb says: “Better one bird in the hand than one hundred flying around!”
• Luke 15, 5-7: Jesus interprets the parable of the lost sheep. Now, in the parable the shepherd does that which nobody would do: to leave everything and to go and look for the lost sheep. God alone can assume such an attitude! Jesus wants that we become aware, conscious of the Pharisee or the Scribe which is in each one of us, The Pharisees and the Scribes abandoned the sinners and excluded them. They would have never gone to look for the lost sheep. They would have allowed it to get lost in the desert. They preferred the ninety-nine. But Jesus places himself in the place of the sheep which got lost and, which in that context of the official religion, would fall into despair, without the hope of being accepted. Jesus makes them and us know: “If you feel that you are a lost sinner, remember that for God you are worth more than the other ninety-nine sheep. And in case that you are converted, know that there will be “greater joy in heaven for a sinner who is converted, than for ninety-nine just who do not need conversion”.
• Luke 15, 8-10: Parable of the lost drachma. The second Parable: "Or again, what woman with ten drachmas would not, if she lost one, light a lamp and sweep out the house and search thoroughly till she found it? And then, when she had found it, call together her friends and neighbours saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, I have found the drachma I lost. In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing among the angels of God over one repentant sinner’”. God rejoices with us. The angels rejoice with us. The parable serves to communicate hope to those who were threatened with despair because of the official religion. This message recalls what God tells us in the Book of the Prophet Isaiah: "Look, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands!” (Is 49, 16). “Since, I regard you as precious, since you are honoured and I love you!” (Is 43, 4).
• Luke 15, 1-3: Those to whom the parables are addressed. The first three verses describe the context in which the three parables were pronounced: “At that time, the tax collectors and sinners were all crowding round to listen to him. The Pharisees and Scribes complained”. On one side there were the tax collectors and the sinners; on the other the Pharisees and the Doctors of the Law. Luke speaks exaggerating somewhat: “The tax collectors and the sinners were all crowding round to listen to Jesus”. There was something in Jesus which attracted them. It is the word of Jesus which attracts them (cf. Is 50, 4). They want to listen to him. This is a sign that they do not feel condemned, but rather they feel accepted by him. The criticism of the Pharisees and the Scribes is the following: "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them!” When sending out the seventy-two disciples (Lk 10, 1-9), Jesus had ordered them to accept the excluded, the sick, the possessed (Mt 10, 8; Lk 10, 9) and to gather them for the banquet (Lk 10, 8).
• Luke 15, 4: The Parable of the lost sheep. The parable of the lost sheep begins with a question: “Which one of you with a hundred sheep, if he lost one, would fail to leave the ninety-nine in the desert and go after the missing one till he found it?” Before giving a response, Jesus must have looked around to see who was listening to him to see how they would have answered. The question is formulated in such a way that the response can only be a positive one: “Yes, he will go after the lost sheep!” And you, how would you answer? Would you leave the ninety-nine in the field to go and look for the only one which got lost? Who would do this? Probably, the majority would have answered: “Jesus, who among us? Nobody would do such an absurd thing. The proverb says: “Better one bird in the hand than one hundred flying around!”
• Luke 15, 5-7: Jesus interprets the parable of the lost sheep. Now, in the parable the shepherd does that which nobody would do: to leave everything and to go and look for the lost sheep. God alone can assume such an attitude! Jesus wants that we become aware, conscious of the Pharisee or the Scribe which is in each one of us, The Pharisees and the Scribes abandoned the sinners and excluded them. They would have never gone to look for the lost sheep. They would have allowed it to get lost in the desert. They preferred the ninety-nine. But Jesus places himself in the place of the sheep which got lost and, which in that context of the official religion, would fall into despair, without the hope of being accepted. Jesus makes them and us know: “If you feel that you are a lost sinner, remember that for God you are worth more than the other ninety-nine sheep. And in case that you are converted, know that there will be “greater joy in heaven for a sinner who is converted, than for ninety-nine just who do not need conversion”.
• Luke 15, 8-10: Parable of the lost drachma. The second Parable: "Or again, what woman with ten drachmas would not, if she lost one, light a lamp and sweep out the house and search thoroughly till she found it? And then, when she had found it, call together her friends and neighbours saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, I have found the drachma I lost. In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing among the angels of God over one repentant sinner’”. God rejoices with us. The angels rejoice with us. The parable serves to communicate hope to those who were threatened with despair because of the official religion. This message recalls what God tells us in the Book of the Prophet Isaiah: "Look, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands!” (Is 49, 16). “Since, I regard you as precious, since you are honoured and I love you!” (Is 43, 4).
4) Personal
questions
• Would you go out to look for the lost sheep?
• Do you think that today the Church is faithful to this parable of Jesus?
• Do you think that today the Church is faithful to this parable of Jesus?
5) Concluding prayer
Seek Yahweh and his strength,
tirelessly seek his presence!
Remember the marvels he has done,
his wonders, the judgements he has spoken. (Ps 105,4-5)
tirelessly seek his presence!
Remember the marvels he has done,
his wonders, the judgements he has spoken. (Ps 105,4-5)
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