Commentary on the Gospel of
If it had the faculty to do so, how would the lost-and-found sheep have felt about the master’s response of risking the ninety-nine obedient sheep and going in search of her and, having found her, delightfully celebrating with his friends and neighbours? How would the lost-and-found coin, too, have felt—if it had the consciousness to do so—at the woman’s panicky search for it and, having found it, celebrating wildly with her friends and neighbors? I am sure the sheep and the coin would have felt very, very special—being on top of the world. I reckon they would have loved their owner over and above life and death. I presume they would have vowed never to leave him/her again.
Luke tells us that tax collectors and sinners were milling around Jesus, eager to hear him and be with him, despite the frowns and much to the dismay of the Pharisees and the scribes. It is no wonder they sought after him. For, in a world where everyone looked at them with contempt, Jesus alone loved them beyond measure. They felt special, like the sheep and the coin.
Have you felt this singularly special love of Christ for you? If you have, how have you responded to it? And if not, perhaps you still need to get in touch with the utter sinfulness and lostness which is our shared reality.
Paulson Veliyannoor, CMF
frpaulson@gmail.com
