In the first reading Paul reminds us of the undeniable central reality that we live and die for God, our Creator and Lord, “Either in life or in death, we belong to the Lord.”

The Gospel reading speaks of God’s loving and endless mercy, featured in the parables of the lost sheep and of the lost coin.

The shepherd relentlessly searches for his lost sheep, leaving the ninety- nine during his search. He calls his neighbors to rejoice with him on finding the lost sheep. Similarly the woman makes a thorough search in her house for the lost silver coin and calls her neighbors to rejoice with her on finding the lost coin

These two parables are simple depictions of God searching for and finding the repentant sinner, “I tell you just so, there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one repentant sinner than over ninety-nine upright who do not need to repent.” (Lk 15: 7)

In similar fashion the loving and forgiving father of the prodigal son shows God’s love for the repentant sinner, “. . . this brother of yours was dead and has come back to life. He was lost and is found. And for that we had to rejoice and be glad.” (Lk 15: 32)