The Way
The Joy of Finding the Lost
A sheep, a coin, and a son
Story
Tax collectors and sinners were gathering around Jesus one by one to hear him. Watching this, the Pharisees and teachers of the law muttered. This man welcomes sinners, and even eats with them. Jesus told them parables, the stories of three people who would not stop until they had found what was lost.
A shepherd who lost one of his hundred sheep left the ninety-nine in the open country and searched until he found the lost one. When he found it, he joyfully carried it home on his shoulders and called his neighbors together. A woman who lost one of her ten silver coins lit a lamp, swept the whole house, and searched every corner. When at last she found it, she too called her friends and neighbors together. Rejoice with me. I have found the coin I lost.
A man's younger son took his share of the inheritance early, went off to a distant country, and squandered it all. On the day he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods the pigs were eating, he came to his senses and turned back toward his father's house. While he was still a long way off, his father saw him, was filled with compassion, ran to him, and embraced him. The father threw a feast. This son of mine was dead and is alive again. He was lost and is found. And to the older son, who came in from the field and in his anger refused to go inside, the father went out himself and pleaded with him.
Walk this scene on the map →His Words
There will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who comes back than over ninety-nine righteous people who need no repentance.
This son of mine was dead and is alive again. He was lost and is found. So let us celebrate together.
My child, you are always with me, and everything I have is yours.
The sayings are fresh renderings of the original meaning in today's language. Text: Lk 15:1–32
Background
Demanding an inheritance while one's father was still alive was considered a grave insult, and in a culture that prized dignity, an elderly head of the household running was a strange sight. Pigs were unclean animals to Jews.
Pause and Reflect
When someone comes back, do I pick apart their past instead of welcoming them?