Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents

Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him. And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, "This Man receives sinners and eats with them."

So He spoke this parable to them, saying, "What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!' I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.

"Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls her friends and neighbors together, saying, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I lost!' Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."

- Luke 15:1-10

In yesterday's reading, Jesus taught us about the sacrifice and commitment that may be required when one becomes a disciple. He likened true disciples, those who would be His followers, to salt. He said, "Salt is good; but if the salt has lost its flavor, how shall it be seasoned?"

Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him. And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, "This Man receives sinners and eats with them." My study bible notes: "Mealtime fellowship with tax collectors and sinners was considered to be defiling for pious Jews." It's interesting to me that just after Jesus has spoken to "the multitudes" about the sacrifices, demands and cost of the loyalty involved in discipleship, it is the tax collectors and sinners who draw near to hear Him. We recall that in the earlier reading (previous to yesterday's) Jesus spoke of the great banquet, to which the invited guests were excluded, and the outsiders and marginalized were the only ones allowed in. (See Blessed is he who shall eat bread in the kingdom of God!)

So He spoke this parable to them, saying, "What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!' I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance." My study bible has a note that reads, "Joy in heaven for the repentance of each sinner is the main theme of this chapter. Jesus connects repentance with joy, not sadness." Of course, there is a similar parable in Matthew's Gospel. Another note reads, "The search for the lost sheep is an act of God in mercy and love for each person who goes astray. No first-century Palestinian shepherd would dare to leave ninety-nine to find one, lest the wolves come and devour the flock ... But God's love is so great He would seek even the one that is straying." The great contrast between ordinary expectation (the common shepherd of first-century Palestine) and the life of the kingdom is striking, but telling. The idea of redemption - that which was lost but which is now redeemed - is so powerful in its telling of what is lost but which is now found, and so is the great joy and love that is accompanied by the recollection of what is precious to the shepherd.

"Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls her friends and neighbors together, saying, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I lost!' Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." This, perhaps, is a parable to which we all, on some level, may relate. We imagine the woman working hard to make ends meet - one tenth of her wealth would be quite essential. The rejoicing - and the implied hints of a meal to celebrate - is something with which we should by now have become familiar. So many teachings have led us to the notion of a feast, a celebration. But the capturing of the image of what was lost and is found is crucial to our understanding of the "joy in heaven." Just as did the shepherd, the woman makes a great effort to reclaim what was lost to her. And so it is with the Good Shepherd, who has been sent to us "for God so loved the world."

As this image of "lost and found" has shaped Christian sensibilities throughout the centuries, so it is indispensable to our own understanding of the nature of God - whom we worship and to whom we make our discipleship commitment. We can all relate to what it means to finding that which we thought was lost. This is a special joy. It's not the same as receiving a great gift; there is a sweetness, relief and love involved in the effort and the finding. So God has come into our world seeking us out, to reclaim that which was lost and bring each one back into the fold of God's love and care. This is a special effort, which brings with it a special rejoicing, a special joy for that great wedding feast we've heard mentioned in the past few readings and commentary. It really doesn't matter who you are, or what your circumstances are, we can each be certain that such joy will accompany our return to God. Our own parents may not show such joy, but Our Father in heaven does and will. No matter what befalls you in this world, there is a love that is there to claim that which God loves, and that love will not fail you. It has been given to us as a gift in the incarnation of Jesus. Let us not forget, no matter what we go through in life, that it is this love and joy that awaits us, our return in love and discipleship.