How would you define sin? St. Augustine described sin as being “caved in around oneself.” Being caved in around the ego and its narrow concerns, we are lost and blinded to the loving, merciful nature of God and God’s desire for eternal fellowship in joy with all persons. To be found by God is to change one’s mind and be open to receive the goodness and joy of the Lord. Paul, formerly a persecutor of Christians, had a powerful encounter with Christ, and his heart was transformed. Convicted by God’s truth, he joyfully declared, “The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” (1Timothy 1:15). Paul declares the good news of the gospel and in it, we too, find hope and joy.
Sunday’s gospel (Luke 15:1-10) gives us more good news! Although God is all majesty, holiness, and power, in His tender love, God cares for the salvation of each person individually, none excluded. The heart of God in Christ so burns for the salvation of each person that He is filled with joy when even one person has a change of heart and accepts His offer of eternal fellowship. Not only do we humans experience joy when we are found, but Jesus Himself rejoices in our salvation. The joy of the Lord finds its full expression in fellowship with redeemed humankind.
As the gospel begins the Pharisees and Scribes observe that Jesus shares fellowship with His listeners, including tax collectors. The Pharisees and scribes had no interest in redeeming the other, perceived as unclean outsiders, and defiled sinners. They complained, “This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.” The implication being that by sharing fellowship with sinners, Jesus could not be the Holy One of God. Jesus responded with two parables. In the first parable, Jesus is presented as a shepherd who so cares for one lost sheep that he risks leaving ninety-nine sheep to seek for the lost sheep. When he finds the lost sheep, he lovingly lays it on his shoulder and restores it to the fold. In the second parable, Jesus is presented as a woman who has ten silver coins, loses one, and diligently searches for her home until she finds it.
When the lost sheep and the lost coin are found the shepherd and the woman are full of joy. There is so much elation that friends and neighbors are invited into communal celebration. When a lost soul is found and restored, God and all heaven rejoice and celebrate. “There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Unknown to the Pharisees, their words were correct. Jesus cares deeply for us, all sinners. He seeks us out, welcomes us, and joyfully celebrates our return with a holy, heavenly feast. God’s joy is made complete when each of us, precious children of His creation, turns our hearts to Him.
Today, Christ calls us all, men and women, to be his Body in the world. The Shepherd with the lost sheep or the woman with the lost coin are faithful Christians who care about the souls of others and see everyone as potential insiders. As His Body, our lives express God’s joy, not despair, and we share the good news, “Christ came to save sinners.” Thanks be to God for inviting us into that deep inner experience of elation found only in Him. The joy of the Lord is our strength!
