Congratulamini | Rejoice

When he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbours, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’ – Luke 15:6

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Luke chapter 15 has a set of three parables that are very well-known. We read about the joy of those who find what was lost and the joy in heaven due to the sinner that repented. It is interesting that the Gospel of Luke has more words connected to joy than any other.

Chapter 15 opens with the setting of tax collectors and sinners eating with Jesus. The Pharisees and scribes murmured because Jesus was having meals with those that were outside respectable society. The rest of the chapter flows from this setting. In the first ten verses of Chapter 15 we read two parables about two lost items: a sheep and a coin. Those who seem lost, can still be saved. The public celebration and joy when a sinner repent is very prominent from this section.

Throughout Scriptures, the Lord is compared to a shepherd. Jesus also calls himself the good shepherd in John 10:11- “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” In the first parable in Luke 15, the shepherd does not wait for the sheep to come back. Instead, he actively searches for his lost sheep. Maybe he was also calling the sheep while searching. What a joyous moment when he does find the one lost sheep. The shepherd does not rejoice alone. He invites his friends and neighbours to rejoice with him. All about this one lost sheep. This parable brings indeed a message of hope.

The shepherd leaves the ninety-nine sheep while searching for the lost one. Jesus illustrates that one sheep is important, no matter what. As we read in Luke 19:10: “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost.”

After the lost sheep is found, the shepherd does not punish the sheep. Depending on how long this sheep was lost, it is probably very tired, thirsty and even hungry.  But the shepherd places the sheep upon his shoulders and carries him back. This illustrates the compassion of the shepherd. We can always trust Jesus to help us carry our burdens and give us rest (Matthew 11:28-29). Then there is the invite by the shepherd to rejoice with him. Unlike the Pharisees' murmuring, we should be rejoicing when a lost sinner repents.

In John 10:27-28 we read: “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give eternal life to them. They will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.” The good Shepherd gives us eternal life. As long as we are part of His flock and follow Him. Also, our Shepherd is always near. Whether we are in the green pastures, the waters, among enemies or in the valley. "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me" (Psalm 23:4).

Let’s share the Good News and rejoice with the Shephard when lost sheep are found.

Reflection on Luke 15:1-10 by Hanne Teach

(Listen to podcost here)

 

Regnum Dei | Kingdom of God

"Blessed is anyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God." – Luke 14:15

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Jesus started his public ministry by preaching "Repent for the kingdom of God is at hand." Jesus is extending a warm invitation to all the Jews and gentiles alike. Jesus also makes it clear that they will have to choose the narrow path and believe in him. We read in the gospel of Matthew 22:14: "Many are called but few are chosen." Those who are called by him to follow him give him different excuses. The cares of the world lure the hearts of human beings to the extent that their eyes are closed to the divine invitation to follow him.

It is true that to enter in the kingdom of God for sure we will have to make huge sacrifices. All of our sacrifices put together will never equal the sacrifice made by God the Father that of giving his Son's life for our redemption. We have the examples of many holy lives in front of us who have chosen the narrow path. 

Life is eternal and our goal is to be with God forever after our earthly life. Jesus wants us to follow him by carrying our daily crosses, not grudging but putting our trust in him like a child. In fact Jesus will carry our crosses, we need to just give it into his hands. As the shepherd carries the lost sheep Jesus will carry each one of us on his shoulders. 

As Christians we hope against all the odds of life. We don't give up that easily, by the grace of Jesus we are all saved. Let us therefore accept his invitation and place our trust in him. One day for sure we can dine along with him in his kingdom.

Reflection on Luke 14: 15-24 by Fr. George Joseph SVD

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Paenitentia | Repent

"…I tell you again that unless you repent, you will perish, too." - Luke 13:5  (NLT)

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Have you ever been grateful for your arms and legs? Recently, I saw a video in my YouTube profile. It's about a community of handicapped people who help one another. One has no arms but capable of using his legs as a substitute, one has one leg and one arm, and the other has no arms but is able to use his mouth to help him survive. I was stunned seeing how they manage to deal with everyday life including cooking delicious food but also their struggle to do what we consider as simple things. These people have sort of bad destiny while others seem not. But the way they smile and conquer life makes me praise the Lord, and ashamed of how I often fail to be grateful over so many blessings in my life.

The passage today warns us about our perspective on seeing sufferings other people go through. We tend to think that sufferings come to the sinners, not us. Because we are good people. Some people came with bad news of those who were murdered by Pilate when they were offering sacrifices in the temple. Jesus reminded everyone not to think that those who died were worse sinners compared to others. "Is that why they suffered? Not at all! And you will perish, too, unless you repent of your sins and turn to God," said Jesus (v.2-3). He insisted that the same attitude should also be applied for the case where some people died because the tower of Siloam fell on them. It was not because they sinned more than other people.

Let's think of our lives, start counting our blessings and have a deep self-assessment. We need to repent from any rebellions we might have towards God and other people such as our close family etc. Why? Because maybe God has given us chances after chances. Lord Jesus told a story of a fig tree owner who could not find any fruit from the tree despite many years it had taken some space in his garden. He wanted to cut it down. But the gardener pleaded with the owner to give the tree one more chance. He said he would take care of it more and give it more fertilizer. If that also didn't work, then the owner was allowed to cut it as his wish.

Dear brothers and sisters, the Gardener is our Lord Jesus Christ. He does everything for us even died to redeem our souls from the wrath of God, and right now He is the Mediator on behalf of us to God the Father (Hebrew 7:25). He keeps working on us. Are we growing more and more in Christ? Or are we just comfortable being served at church without any significant changes of our bad behaviours, and yet no intention to know God in more personal way? 

We have read the very strong warning about repentance. It is actually an invitation to protect us. Let's use the chance we have carefully to be more fruitful for the glory of God. Amen.

Reflection on Luke 13:1-9 by Desire Litaay

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