DAILY- HOMILY

The tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus, but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them." So Jesus addressed this parable to them. "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."

HOMILY

Sinners were attracted to Jesus. They wanted to be around Him and hear His words. They wanted Jesus to eat in their homes. They even gathered other fellow sinners and brought them along to hear Jesus. Sinners must have been attuned to the obvious love Jesus had for them. Jesus proved that love is a powerful magnet to draw sinners.

Jesus is not soft on sin. He endured the agony of crucifixion in order to destroy sin. However, Jesus is soft-hearted for sinners. Jesus wants them to avoid sin, but He definitely does not avoid sinners. He came to save sinners. He came to seek out sinners. Jesus loved sinners so much that He, in a sense, became sin so that we sinners "might become the very holiness of God".

As Christians and followers of Christ, we can not imitate Jesus without having His heart for sinners. Jesus will lose everything, even His life, for them. To follow Him, we must deal with sinners as Jesus does. We must plunge recklessly "into the wasteland" of desolation and leave ninety-nine good Christian friends behind in order to rescue just one sinner. We must be willing to risk our good reputation, as Jesus did, to bring God's love and word to a sinner. Jesus' heart of love impelled Him to lovingly "search out" sinners and lead them to conversion. We must "go and do the same".

God the Father has loved us so much that He sent His Son, Jesus, to die for us. We are loved infinitely, perfectly, and eternally. In response to God's love, we love. As human beings, we try to express our love in words, actions, and gifts. But what can we do for the Lord that would make Him very happy? What is a gift that would delight the almighty God?

Jesus answers this question for us in today's Gospel reading: "I tell you, there will likewise be more joy in heaven over one repentant sinner than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need to repent". The Lord is very pleased by our righteousness but even more happy about our repentance. When we go to Confession, we are escalating the joy in heaven. When we accept God's call to be ministers of reconciliation, calling others to repentance and Confession, we are thrilling the Holy Trinity and the hosts of heaven. Even if we ourselves do not feel so excited about repentance, all that counts is that the One receiving the gift likes it. Therefore, give God the gift of repentance.

PRAYER

"Lord, let your light dispel the darkness that what is lost may be found and restored. Let your light shine through me that others may see your truth and love and find hope and peace in you. May I never doubt your love nor take for granted the mercy you have shown to me. Fill me with your transforming love that I may be merciful as you are merciful."