The lost and found

Father Ed Witt, SJ
Homily from the Televised Mass, NewsCenter1
Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, September 11, 2022

Every church has a lost and found department. Today the Gospel readings speak of the lost and found. It’s been said that Jesus was crucified for eating with the wrong kind of people — tax collectors, sinners, prostitutes, religious law breakers. Jesus answers this criticism with three parables. We heard two of the three. 

First is the lost sheep. How important the 1 percent are over the 99 who have no need for repentance. The woman who finds the lost coin. Perhaps you’ve had the joy of finding your lost car keys, or glasses, or your wallet, as I have. Perhaps you prayed to Saint Anthony, and you recovered what was lost. Perhaps Saint Anthony didn’t come through. Sorry. But God’s greatest joy is not when we find things — sheep, coins, wallets — but when those who have been missing from our communities and families, those who are lost are found. 

The Gospel, the readings today speak of God’s profound mercy. First reading, Israel commits the sin of idolatry. God wants to wipe them out and got Moses begs for his mercy. God proves a prodigal father. Saint Paul admits that he was a prosecutor, blasphemer, and a terrible sinner, and yet found mercy. 

The prodigal son, we did not hear of, lived the life of a playboy, sowed his wild oats, reached rock bottom. Those who are recovering alcoholics know what it means to reach rock bottom. Yet the father is joyful in his return. And the son experiences God love and mercy. 

And, once again, we sinners will eat at his table and experience that same mercy.