Readings: Romans 14:7-12, Ps. 27:1,4, 13-14, Luke 15:1-10
“Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” (Luke 15:10)
A few days ago, Jesus was at the home of a Pharisee ruler. Jesus knew the Pharisees were not his friends because they were looking for an opportunity to kill him (beginning by giving him a bad name, catching him in his words or making him do something to be discredited by others). Yet, Jesus still honoured their invitation to dinner. Jesus loved them even though they hated him.
When Jesus was there, no one raised eyebrows or questioned the appropriateness of eating with the Pharisees. These Pharisees were highly respected in the community and considered God’s mouthpieces. However, Jesus could see through their hypocrisy; he knew how hardened and dark their hearts were despite their efforts to look good before others.
Knowing that it was a Sabbath day, the Pharisees arranged for a man with dropsy to present himself to Jesus while they watched to see Jesus’ reaction. Beyond healing this man, Jesus asked piercing questions that revealed their deep-seated hypocrisy. If they could afford to save a child or even an animal that falls into a well on a Sabbath, should it be considered a sin to do good (heal a man) on a Sabbath day?
Jesus told the Pharisees to invite the poor to their feasts instead of their wealthy neighbours. Since the poor cannot repay them, God will reward them. He even told them a story of a man who was forced to invite everyone his servants could find, including the physically challenged, since those for whom the banquet failed to come. In other words, by rejecting him (failing to recognise that Jesus is the Messiah), the gift of salvation will extend to those less deserving of it.
That parable Jesus gave in the home of the Pharisee is precisely what plays out in today’s Gospel passage. Jesus became friends with those considered sinners in society, drawing his critics to say, “This man cannot be from God; he receives sinners and eats with them.” In his response, Jesus said, “There is more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over the ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.” In other words, by receiving sinners, Jesus was not endorsing evil; instead, He was opening up the door of mercy to them.
Sin brings us death, yet God is never happy to see the sinner die. Speaking through the prophet Ezekiel, God said, “As I live, says the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from their ways and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways; for why will you die, O house of Israel?” (Ezekiel 33:11). While we humans are happy to see evil doers punished, nothing gives God as much joy as seeing the sinner repent. If you can succeed in making a person repent, renounce his former ways, and start living righteously, then I tell you there would be much dancing in heaven because of you, just as a man would dance when he finds a lost sheep.
The task of winning sinners to God is delicate; it involves (as St. Paul says), “being all things to all men.” (1 Corinthians 9:22). To kill a rat, you must think like a rat; to win a sinner to repentance, you must come to their level. This is precisely what Jesus did. He risked his reputation (to the extent that he was nicknamed a glutton) to save the lost souls.
A lot of us today are, like the Pharisees, hypocrites. We criticise evil openly but patronise it secretly. For instance, we shame and disgrace people for improper dressing in public, but we feast on pornographic images and videos on our smartphones. We condemn people for taking photos with known criminals, but we applaud those criminals when they give us money or support our church projects.
If we are genuinely interested in winning souls, we will never condemn or write off anyone. No matter how much evil a person has done, they still have something good in them. In today’s first reading, St. Paul says, “Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God…”
Instead of celebrating the fact that sinners will be punished for their sins, let us have the mind of God towards them; let us pray and work towards their repentance. That person you are praying to die today might be your only hope of survival tomorrow. The world is a small village. St. Paul says, “None of us lives for himself and none of us dies for himself…” No man is an island.
Make God happy by doing what Jesus did; win souls not by pointing fingers but by showing love. Invite sinners to your table; honour their invitations. Inspire them with your exemplary conduct. You gain nothing by displaying hatred towards them. Above all, do not be a hypocrite; don’t encourage evil behind closed doors while publicly pretending to condemn it.
Let us pray: Almighty and merciful God, by whose gift your faithful offer you right and praiseworthy service, grant, we pray, that we may hasten without stumbling to receive the things you have promised. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever. Amen
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (Thursday of week 31 in Ordinary Time, Liturgical Colour: Green. Bible Study: Romans 14:7-12, Ps. 27:1,4, 13-14, Luke 15:1-10)
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu