Rejoicing over finding the lost one

The aftermath of the disaster that has struck the USA offers us a striking modern version of the parables of Jesus about finding the lost one.

The death toll in New York must be in the thousands, but yet, when one person was discovered to be alive in the rubble, all the rescue workers and the supportive onlookers, burst into applause and cheers. This one person could easily have been one of the dead, but the massive rescue operation was worth it, because it had saved one. Even if no others were found, it had been worth the effort. Everybody felt that.

So it is with Jesus. His rescue mission which cost him so much, is justified if even one person is saved who would otherwise have been counted among the dead. The cheering and applause in heaven has nothing to do with statistics or totals. It only takes one rescued soul for heaven to ring with jubilant and joyful praise for the Father who brought this about, and for his Son who surrendered himself to make the plan work.

But some of us get stuck on the irrelevant question of ‘deserving’. We feel that if sinners are rescued they should be left in no doubt how much trouble they have caused, and certainly should not be welcomed back with rejoicing. Perhaps such people forget that we are all sinners, and all need rescuing, all need carrying back on the Shepherd’s shoulders.

In New York the rescue workers are giving their all, just as Jesus has, and the onlookers are applauding them and holding up placards saying ‘Thank You’. Let us applaud what Our Lord has done for us, and let us offer thanks as the Church has done since the apostles, by offering the eucharist - a living sacrifice of praise.

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