Once again, we see that Jesus’ values and the those of the religious leaders of his times were diametrically opposed. Those leaders maintained their holiness by isolating themselves from any contamination with those whom they considered sinful or evil. In their view all others were only worthy of condemnation. This of course made them consider themselves better than anyone else. The religious leaders condemn Jesus because he spends time with public sinners, evil doers, traitors, and folks dedicated to corruption. He actively goes out to look for those people. He shares meals with them. Hearing the complains of the religious leaders, he tells the two short stories in today’s Gospel.
Jesus’ experience of God is that of a creator who is crazy in love with creation that same way a father is in love with his children. The shepherd of the lost lamb and the woman of the lost coin are signs of a joyful God who is always looking for those who have wandered away from him. From a human point of view this is completely irrational and for the religious leaders of the times it was unacceptable.
If you lost a small coin in your house and then found it, would you throw a party with all your neighbors to celebrate? First of all, why would you waste time looking for a small coin? Why would you spend money on a party for finding a penny coin? In the party you would spend more money that the value of the shiny penny. Here Jesus is showing us the irrational love of God the Father for each one of us. He is showing us how the Father is constantly looking for us. He is showing us the joy of communion – the party – communion with God and with others.
In the same way, what shepherd who returning to the corral at night would go out into the night looking for one missing sheep leaving ninety-nine in the corral. That would be absurd and irrational. We would probably leave the search until the next day or just leave off the lost one and be contented with the ninety-nine. Then to top it off, Jesus says the shepherd throws a party once he finds the lost one. Again, the image of joy and communion.
The religious leaders of Jesus’ times began their experience with condemnation. This led them to separate themselves from others and to judge others. Exclusion and ridged, superficial or even artificial holiness was their way of life. There was no outreach to others. Jesus’ experience of God begins with a loving Father who is constantly searching for his children beyond all human expectations, hopes, and experience. This leads to an overwhelming joy and communion. The party or communion is evangelization – reaching out to others, caring for others, or sharing our faith experience, again in a crazy, extravagant way. Today’s Gospel invites us to live in the experience of God’s constant mercy and forgiveness and to announce and share the resulting joy.
The tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus,
but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain…
there will be rejoicing among the angels of God
over one sinner who repents.
Image: CANVA CJ Dunn 31 October 2026 AI Generated.