Sunday, September 14th, 2025
All the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to Jesus. 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." Luke 15:1-10
There are those who want to call other people criminals, sinners and unwanted. I guess it make them feel better about themselves, since deep down we all know and live with the mistakes we have made. Very few of us of want to admit to our humanity and few are humble enough to see all people as equals. Being among the generous and beautiful people of the Dominican Republic, I am struck how some in our country might think these loving people are suspect or dangerous. Yet Jesus sat at table with the hurting and the lost, the broken and suffering, the sinners and the unwanted innocents. We know all to well our imperfections. May we rejoice that Jesus sits at table with us and with the stranger, the foreigners and the desperate.
Loving Creator, you made our world beautiful
you love the great and small with equal care
and seek the lost with every ounce of energy.
Good Shepherd, give us joy in the love you have for us.
We are vane and ignorant too much of the time
cursing and casting out those we don't understand
yet crying to you as small children when we are lost.
Good Shepherd, give us joy in the love you have for us.
You have sought us in the dark and lonely places
set a meal before us despite our willful running
and gather us when we are far from our homes.
Good Shepherd, give us joy in the love you have for us.
Those who would destroy the weak and circling
yet you seek and protect even the lambs who stay.
Good Shepherd, give us joy in the love you have for us.
The world is a violent and cruel maze of danger
in all of that you are our good shepherd caring for all.
Good Shepherd, give us joy in the love you have for us.
Help us Lord to cry out when we are lost and afraid
and help us reach out to those who ache for being found.
Good Shepherd, give us joy in the love you have for us. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment