Lost and Found

"I know what it's like to lose precious things. And then, of course, to find them again."
--Laura Charles (The Last Dragon)

Today we are treated to Luke 15--the magnificent Lost and Found parables. The intellectuals of the day, the Pharisees and scribes, complained that Jesus was mingling with sinners who wanted to hear Him speak. Christ explained using a series of parables.

He first asked the crowd, including the intellectuals, who among them would not tirelessly search for the one sheep from a large flock that had been lost, and then happily let everyone know once it had been found. This is like the joy felt in heaven when one sinner repents.

Christ then asked who among them would not search their homes for the one silver coin that had been misplaced, and then rejoice when it was recovered. This too, is analogous to God's joy when a sinner repents.

Then Jesus launched the main story, the famous story of the Prodigal Son. A twist to this parable is the brother who has faithfully stood by his father's side thru thick and thin. He is bothered when his father celebrates the prodigal son's unexpected return. After all, the faithful son had done everything his father had asked while his brother had squandered a fortune. Now the father was willing to forgive and forget plus throw an extravagant party on the prodigal son's behalf--a party that the father had never before thrown for the faithful son.

There is much to reflect on in this parable. Recovery and its celebration. The holiness of penance. Heavenly views on equality and justice.

It also bids the question of who was truly lost and found in, and by, this parable.