An Awesome Grace
The Cost is High, The Gain is Overwhelming
November 4, 2020
Be Wise and Heartful
November 7, 2020PITIK-BULAG: An Awesome Grace
We don’t like losing valuable and important things. We feel like a part of us is missing. We are restless. We are not in peace. We need to take urgent action to find it. We need to find it, whatever is the cost. If we feel so restless losing something, how much more of a mother losing her child in a huge mall? How much more of God losing his beloved child in a dangerous world? One thing is certain, the great search will follow immediately. And God will not rest until He finds His lost child.
This is the theme of our gospel today. It begins with the tax collectors and sinners coming to Jesus to listen to Him and eat with them. Jesus is enjoying their company, oblivious to the Pharisees’ violent reaction against such warm hospitality to public sinners.
The religious leaders may have a point against Jesus. Bad companies may lead us to bad attitudes. We encourage our children to seek good friends for good influences. We advise them to stay away from bad people. And most of all, for the religious leaders, table fellowship is for intimate friends only. Not for strangers, sinners, and worthless people.
Yet, the Lord sees the sinners as lost sheep. Their souls are worth saving. He can see their inner goodness, giftedness, and kindness hidden in their darkness and sins. On the other hand, the Pharisees see their sins and wretchedness. Jesus is wearing the lens of love and mercy, while the Pharisees are wearing the lens of judgment and hate.
Thus, the Lord related the parables of the lost sheep and the lost coin to shed light regarding his merciful attitude towards sinners. We are precious in the eyes of the Lord. He will do his best to bring us back to His Kingdom. Even at the cost of His own life to save us.
Here are some important points for consideration from our gospel reading:
1. We are worth the search.
How did the Lord know that one sheep is missing? The gospel reveals the search was very thorough. He even left the ninety-nine. God is restless. He feels the need to find us. Not because He needs us, but because we need Him. (Luke 15:8)
2. He brings us home with great joy.
No punishment is given. No public scolding. He rejoices instead. He immediately lays his sheep on his shoulders and brings it home. God deeply desires us to be home in heaven. We receive such blessing and privilege in spite of our unfaithfulness. We are in awe and overwhelmed to receive such treatment. Now I understand why the Pharisees are reacting violently. Mercy is not in their hearts. Home is our destination. Our sonship is restored without conditions. (Luke 15:6).
3. He reunites us with His Communities.
Full restoration comes when we are reconciled with our family and community. The Lord even invited His friends and community to rejoice with Him for finding us. What’s the real value of the lost coin? Even to the point of spending more than the amount of one coin. Are we joyful when one of our brothers or sisters is back in the community? Or grumbling and questioning like the Pharisees?
The two parables are examples of how precious we are in God’s eyes. He knows our sins and faults. He knows what’s in our minds and hearts. But because of love, He can see beyond our sins. He can see us as we are. And Jesus will do everything to save us, even to the point of giving His life for us.
– Fr. Willy M. Samson, SJ
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November 5, 2020 – Thursday
Gospel Reading: Luke 15: 1-10
