Lost Things

"Lost Coin" by James Hasse, S.J.

This weekend we continue in Luke's gospel, picking up a set of parables that links with one we explored during Lent this year - the parables of lost things.

The stories of the lost sheep, lost coin, and lost son all remind us of the lengths to which our God will go to seek after us.

Nevertheless, they are actually intended to help us dive far deeper.

These parables occur in a conversation with leaders within Jesus's own faith tradition. Those people who get to decide who is in and who is out. In other words, those who get to decide who is "lost" in no uncertain terms.

And yet, the word for sinner in Greek has the same implied meaning as the Hebrew tradition - that one has missed the mark set for us.

Not that they are damned to Hell or not worth redeeming.

No. They, we have not lived up to the calling for which God has made us.

Even more, Amy-Jill Levine would suggest that Jesus is suggesting that we are not only meant to see ourselves as the lost ones. We are also the ones in a position to choose - just like those religious leaders of old.

Who counts? Who matters? Who is worthy of love and welcome and resources?

The parables imply God's answer. The question is, how will we respond?

Blessings,

Rev. Janie