Luke 15: 1 -1 10 The Parable of Divine Mercy

Luke 15: 1 -1 10 The Parable of Divine Mercy

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."

Jesus tells his listeners how much rejoicing among the angels there will be over the repentance of one sinner. He is speaking to the Scribes and the Pharisees who are commenting to themselves about Jesus’ choice to eat among sinners and tax collectors. His message is one of hope to the sinners of the crowd and one of rebuke to those of power and influence. In both examples someone – the shepherd, the woman – loses something of value – a sheep, a silver coin - and works diligently to recover it. Apparently the revelation that something of value has been lost is necessary to make this connection. It is a loss or lack that the sinners and tax collectors seem to have grasped. The Scribes and the Pharisees, on the other hand, cluelessly see nothing missing or lacking in themselves. They are busy judging others and congratulating themselves on (what they think is) their better position. In order for mercy to be extended, it must first be sought out.