Daily Gospel Digest - Luke 15:1-10

Thursday, 7 November - 31st week in Ordinary Time - Year B

From the Gospel according to Luke 15:1-10

The tax collectors and the sinners were all seeking the company of Jesus to hear what he had to say, and the Pharisees and the scribes complained. ‘This man’ they said ‘welcomes sinners and eats with them.’ So he spoke this parable to them:

  ‘What man among you with a hundred sheep, losing one, would not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the missing one till he found it? And when he found it, would he not joyfully take it on his shoulders and then, when he got home, call together his friends and neighbours? “Rejoice with me,” he would say “I have found my sheep that was lost.” In the same way, I tell you, there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one repentant sinner than over ninety-nine virtuous men who have no need of repentance.

  ‘Or again, what woman with ten drachmas would not, if she lost one, light a lamp and sweep out the house and search thoroughly till she found it? And then, when she had found it, call together her friends and neighbours? “Rejoice with me,” she would say “I have found the drachma I lost.” In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing among the angels of God over one repentant sinner.’

The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ.

This passage, Luke 15:1-10, is unique to the Gospel of Luke and features two parables—the lost sheep and the lost coin—that capture Jesus' teachings about repentance and redemption. The passage's immediate context is the criticism Jesus faced from the Pharisees and the scribes, who were upset that he welcomed sinners and ate with them. In response to this criticism, Jesus tells these two parables.

The parable of the lost sheep resembles the one present in Matthew 18: 12-14, but the context is different. In Matthew, it is about not despising the little ones, while in Luke, the context is the joy in heaven for the conversion of the sinner. On the other hand, the parable of the lost coin is unique to Luke.

Today’s Reflection:

Jesus responds to the Pharisees’ and scribes' criticism by presenting the divine perspective on sinners' repentance. Who are the "lost" referred to here? They are those who have wandered away from God's teachings or who are leading a life disconnected from God's love. God's love is so immense that He doesn't just wait for us to return. He actively seeks us out. He sends signs, people, and situations in our lives to guide us back to Him.