133. Parables of God's Mercy to Sinners

a) About the lost sheep

Lux. 15, 1–10

All the publicans and sinners approached the Lord to hear Him. And the Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying, He receiveth sinners, and eateth with them. But He told them the following parable:

Which of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the lost one until he finds it? And when he has found it, he will take it on his shoulders with joy, and when he comes home, he will call together his friends and neighbors, and say to them, Rejoice with me, for I have found my lost sheep.

I say to you, that thus in heaven there will be more joy over one sinner who repents, than over ninety-nine righteous men who have no need of repentance.

b) On the Lost Drachma

Lux. 15, 8–10

Or what woman, having ten drachmas, if she loses one drachma, does not light a candle and sweep the room and search carefully until she finds it? And when he has found it, he will call together his friends and neighbors and say, "Rejoice with me: I have found the lost coin."

Thus, I tell you, the angels of God have joy even over one sinner who repents.

134. The Parable of the Prodigal Son

Lux. 15, 11–32

And the Lord said, "A certain man had two sons; And the youngest of them said to his father, "Father, forgive them! Give me the next part of my estate. And the father divided the estate among them. After a few days, the younger son, having gathered everything, went to a distant country and there squandered his possessions, living dissolutely.

And when he had lived through everything, there came a great famine in that country, and he began to be in need. And he went and joined one of the inhabitants of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he was glad to fill his belly with the horns that the pigs ate, but no one gave it to him.