“Tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus,

but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying,

‘This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.’

So to them he addressed this parable.

‘What man among you having a hundred sheep and losing one of them

would not leave the ninety-nine in the desert

and go after the lost one until he finds it?

And when he does find it,

he sets it on his shoulders with great joy

and, upon his arrival home,

he calls together his friends and neighbors and says to them,

‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’

I tell you, in just the same way 

there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents 

than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance.’”

Years ago at St. Boniface, I sat in the confessional alone for several minutes with no penitents coming to receive reconciliation. Finally, a man came in and knelt down as I began, “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.” “Oh, father,” he replied, “I don’t need to go to confession. I thought you might be lonely in here all by yourself and just came to talk.” It was a kind gesture, but it is rare anymore that the confessional is a lonely place! Thanks be to God. I don’t know if more people are going to confession, if some people are going more often, if there are fewer priests to hear the same number of confessions, or if my perception that the confessional is busier than it used to be is just wrong. In any case, those who come, whether every week or for the first time in half a century, are genuine in their repentance and receive mercy, forgiveness, and reconciliation without limit and as often as they need. I find, in my priesthood, the Sacrament of Reconciliation is where I am closest to the heart of God, his compassion and his joy. For those who receive the sacrament, thank you for the gift you give to me. If you haven’t gone in a while, please prayerfully consider if now is the time. 

Jesus welcomes and eats with sinners. He searches for the lost, but sinners, too, are drawn to him. They seek him out. Unlike the Pharisees, Jesus doesn’t shun them, keep them at arms length, or devalue them. Jesus loves them. He doesn’t shy away from telling them the truth, but the combination of the truth and love is powerful. It is magnetic. Too often, we see the truth separated from love. That is cold, harsh, rigid, and legalistic (much like the Pharisees). We all feel judged. Likewise, love separated from the truth is built on sand, mushy, lacking conviction or sacrifice, and, ultimately, self serving. Does it mean anything? Together, however, truth and love proclaim good news to the poor, set free the captives, give sight to the blind and make the lame walk. In God’s grace, truth and love change hearts and lives for the better. Truly, the lowly are lifted up. Lovingly, the proud are cast down in their conceit. 

Why is there more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance? Perhaps it is because righteous people who have no need of repentance don’t actually exist, except in their own minds. We are all sinners who have fallen short of the glory of God and are in need of repentance. I, for one, am still in need of a savior. May my life, our lives, bring joy to God, not because we don’t need repentance, but because when we fail, we turn back to God in truth and love.