A reading of the holy Gospel according to Luke 15: 1-10
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 to them he addressed this parable.
“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.”
REFLECTION
"There will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents."
Our merciful God who forgives and knows each one of us as if we were His only child, looks and seeks out the lost sheep. And one can almost hear the jubilant singing when one lost soul walks across into the arms of Jesus. Imagine being that important among the 8 billion people who live in the world.
That is just how esteemed we are to God. And through His Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, it is not impossible to receive mercy, forgiveness and divine compassion. He does all He can to recover His lost children.
So when we tire of praying or fasting remember our Good Shepherd. He will fight for us, protect us and bring us home. Oh, how many graces has the dear Lord given us. He awaits the sinner at confession. Remind our family and friends of the utmost importance of returning to God by way of the confessional.
And for confession, the priests, who act "in the person of Christ" or in persona Christi Capitis, need prayers to be good confessors. Our PAPA patron saint, St John Vianney (patron saint of confessors), spent up to 16 hours a day hearing confessions. Most important to pray for priests.
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