"There will be rejoicing among the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

 

Scripture readings for this reflection can be found at Thursday of the Thirty-first Week in Ordinary Time | USCCB

In our gospel for today we see the Pharisees and scribes, as usual, judging those who are attempting to turn back to God and repent of their sins. The Lord, in his love and mercy, is reaching out to those who have fallen away from the faith. He was accepting them and their repentance to turn back to love of God. The Lord was judging not their appearance, but rather was judging their hearts. Unfortunately, these were people that the Jewish people and leadership looked down upon. 

The tax collectors were the ones that were collecting the taxes for the Roamn government, and thus had turned away from their faith in God. Then there were those other sinners who, for whatever reason, stopped their practice of living out their Jewish faith according to the laws of Moses. The Pharisees and scribes condemned them and showed them no mercy.

With God there is love, mercy and forgiveness. We all know people that have turned away from the practice of their faith. The reasons vary from person to person. We need to pray for them that they may turn back to a loving relationship with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. We also should try to encourage them to come with us to church with open arms and a loving heart. We are not to judge them by their appearance or the way they may have lived in the past, but rather we need to show them the love and acceptance that God has for them. Jesus is calling us to love them and be as accepting of them as He is of them. God's love and mercy is for all people, not only for those who show up each week at church. The Lord Jesus is always waiting with an open heart and open arms offering love and forgiveness for all people.

Further, let us not be like the Pharisees and scribes complaining about those returning to the practice of their faith. Rather, let us rejoice when someone returns into relationship with God and seeks forgiveness. Let us be as merciful to them as Jesus is.

Let us rejoice with the angels over those who are repenting of their sins and returning into a loving relationship with God.