Thursday 7 November 2024

0:00

Today is Thursday the 7th of November in the 31st week of Ordinary Time.

Eliza King sings, ‘Foolish and Ruined’.

The more that I store up, cling to and covet

The less that I truly own

Wiser is she who takes up her perfume

Breaks the jar, let's it flow

On her love she spends it all

Many will say it's foolish

But I have known love and I'm ruined

To those who look on, it's wasteful

But to You, it is beautifully given

Love can look strange to religion

Love can look strange to religion

It cannot be bought with silver or gold

But still will cost all I have

But as treasure decays and earth fades away

There won't be a thing that I lack

So why would I hold my love back?

Many will say it's foolish

But I have known love and I'm ruined

To those who look on, it's wasteful

But to You, it is beautifully given

Love can look strange to religion

Love can look strange to religion

Broken and poured out

My love is fragrant now

I will not withhold

From the lover of my soul

Broken and poured out

My love is fragrant now

I will not withhold

From the lover of my soul

Broken and poured out

My love is fragrant now

I will not withhold

For my love, You're worth it all

Many will say it's foolish

But I have known love and I'm ruined

To those who look on, it's wasteful

But to You, it is beautifully given

Love can look strange to religion

Love can look strange to religion

But I'd rather be foolish and ruined

I'd rather be foolish and ruined

Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke.

Luke 15:1-10

Now all the tax-collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to [Jesus]. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, ‘This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.’

So he told them this parable: ‘Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbours, saying to them, “Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.” Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who need no repentance.

‘Or what woman having ten silver coins, if she loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbours, saying, “Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.” Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.’

Jesus asks what shepherd would leave ninety-nine to fend for themselves to find the one that was lost. The immediate answer might be: a really bad shepherd! Or perhaps a shepherd so intoxicated by love for the lost, that their determination to find it again is extravagant. Consider that quality of God’s love for you . . .

And what woman would spend more on a party than she has saved by finding a single coin? One who really loves a party and really loves her neighbours. Consider that quality of God’s love . . .

Tax collectors and sinners probably felt shame about their state, and yet, they flocked to Jesus. What quality does he have that means they want to be in his presence?

Listen again and imagine Jesus telling these stories, probably with some amusement, and enjoy him sharing his lavish image of God with the crowd . . .

Sometimes we just have to let God love us unconditionally. Spend a minute now, letting the God of Jesus look on you with extravagant love!

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.