The Black Sheep

"Meanwhile tax collectors and sinners were seeking the company of JESUS, all of them eager to hear what HE had to say.  But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law frowned at this, muttering, 'This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.'  So, JESUS told them this parable:

'Who among you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, will not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and seek the lost one till he finds it?  And finding it, will he not joyfully carry it home on his shoulders?  Then he will call his friends and neighbors together, and say, 'Celebrate with me, for I have found my lost sheep!'  I tell you, in the same way, there will be more rejoicing in heaven over ninety-nine decent people, who do not need to repent.

What woman, if she has ten silver coins and loses one, will not light a lamp, and sweep the house in a thorough search, till she finds the lost coin?  And finding it, she will call her friends and neighbors, and say, 'Celebrate with me, for I have found the silver coin I lost!'  I tell you, in the same way, there is rejoicing among the angels of GOD over one repentant sinner.'" - Luke 15:1-10  

(Why do the Pharisees complain?  Because they are scrupulously concerned about ritual purity.  In this perspective--present in the Old Testament--in a relationship between two people, the one who is unclean will contaminate the other.  Since "sinners" by definition never think of purifying themselves of the hundred and one impurities of daily life, JESUS could then be considered a teacher ready to become impure at any moment.  So it is that JESUS will speak of GOD's mercy that has not swept away sinners from HIS presence.

Then again, is not there something more human in the indignation of "good" people: let everyone see the difference between the rest and us!  Once more JESUS battles against the old idea of merits that have been gained and therefore worthy of GOD's reward.

Happy the one sheep JESUS went after, leaving the ninety-nine!  Poor righteous ones who do not need GOD's forgiveness!

In large cities today, the church seems to be left with only one sheep.  Why does she not get out, namely, let go of her income, privileges or devotions of a commercial style, to go out looking for the ninety-nine who got lost?  To leave the comfortable circle of believers who have no problems, to look beyond our renewed rituals, and to be ready to be criticized just as JESUS was criticized, is the challenge today.

Who lights the lamp, sweeps the house and searches except GOD HIMSELF?  Out of respect for GOD, the Jews of JESUS' time preferred not to name HIM, and they used expressions such as the angels or heaven.)

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