In our Gospel reading today, we find Jesus sitting at table again with sinners and tax collectors (“the wrong people”). Of course, the Pharisees are scandalized by this. The Pharisees believed that contact with sinners should be avoided at all costs – they looked forward not to the saving but to the destruction of the sinner. But Jesus responds to this reaction with two parables describing the joy of finding the lost sheep and the joy of finding the lost coin. Jesus concludes these parables by noting that there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance.

If I’m honest with myself, I must admit that I see the Pharisees’ point and even feel a bit offended that heaven will rejoice over one repentant sinner more than all of the work and effort I put in to “being good.”

It is easy for us to categorize one another (and ourselves) into “saints” or “sinners,” but isn’t it true that each of us is at once a bundle of ninety-nine sheep always accountable and under control, and one lost sheep always wandering off and seemingly out of control? Jesus assures us that the lost sheep or the lost coin in each of us can be found. Jesus tenaciously seeks out that lost sheep or lost coin. We must accompany him, seeking out these darker parts of ourselves, befriending them, and leading them to the Eucharistic banquet for healing and transformation.

As Paul reminds us in today’s first reading, “For this is why Christ died and came to life, that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living.”

Today, befriend a sinful part of yourself and begin the journey with our Lord to healing and transformation.

Let Us Pray:

Thank you, dear Jesus, for being Lord of both the lost and the found. Help me to seek out the lost parts of myself and bring them to you for healing. Transform me into a vessel that can bring your light and healing to the dark parts of our world. Amen.