THE WORD
Rom 14: 7–12 / Lk 15: 1–10
The tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to him, but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” So to them he addressed this parable: “What man among you having a hundred sheep and losing one of them would not leave the ninety-nine in the desert and go after the lost one until he finds it? And when he does find it, he sets it on his shoulders with great joy and, upon his arrival home, he calls together his friends and neighbors and says to them, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you, in just the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance.
“Or what woman having ten coins and losing one would not light a lamp and sweep the house, searching carefully until she finds it? And when she does find it, she calls together her friends and neighbors and says to them, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found the coin that I lost.’ In just the same way, I tell you, there will be rejoicing among the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
IN OTHER WORDS
Everybody is entitled to the love of God in Jesus. The parables of the lost sheep and the lost coin have the same message, that God seeks the lost ones so they find their way back to him. God reveals Himself not anymore in the form of cloud or fire, but with a face in the person of Jesus who relates with the people intimately. No wonder that throughout his public ministry, apart from his preaching, he had shown much compassion to the poor, the outcast and the less privileged. He healed many sick, restored the dead back to life, fed the hungry and forgave sinners.
In Buenos Aires, I had a chance of accompanying one night an SVD confrere, Fr. Luis Salas, to visit the “chicos de la calle” in the park. These are young people who live on the street near the SVD provincial house. They are branded as “dangerous people,” uneducated, and drug addicts. Despite the anxiety, I conceded to my confrere’s invitation. When we arrived at the park there was already a bonfire; some food was also prepared to celebrate the birthday of one of their members. My companion introduced me as a religious priest. During the night long conversations they slowly opened up their personal problems and struggles to me. There I came to know them as persons. They were so happy that we were there with them, especially Fr. Luis who had been accompanying them for a good period of time.
I myself do not believe that there are really bad people. In principle God made man in His image and likeness. Thus, by nature we are all good, although sad to say some tend to lose God along the way. The good news, however, is that God never gives up on us. That is why Jesus used the two parables to impart to us the unconditional love of God.
- Garry Bacol, SVD (Argentina)
The Word in other words 2015
An annual project of Logos Publications, The WORD in Other Words Bible Diary contains daily scripture readings and reflections written by priest, brothers, and sisters of the three congregations founded by St. Arnold Janssen (the SVD, SSpS, and SSpSAP). It hopes to serve as a daily companion to readers who continually seek the correlation of the Word of God and human experience.
