Add to heaven’s joy

Today’s Gospel, from Luke 15:1-16, is about the time the Pharisees and the scribes complained that Jesus was eating in the company of sinners and tax-collectors. In response, Jesus told them the parables about the shepherd who left the ninety-nine sheep to go and search for the one who was lost and about the woman who swept her house in search of the lost coin. Jesus ends up by saying there would be immense joy in heaven over the lost one who was found than over the many who have no need of repentance. This Gospel passage reminds me of the memorable statement of Pope Francis who said, “The eucharist is not the reward of saints, but the bread of sinners.” In this homily which Francis gave during the celebration of mass on the feast of the Body and Blood of Christ on June 6, 2021, he also said, "The church of the perfect and pure is a room where there isn't a place for anyone; the church with open doors that celebrates around Christ is, on the other hand, a large hall where everyone — the righteous and sinners — can enter." The Church has not always been so inviting. Certainly in the past we used to live in fear of sin and approaching communion unworthily. Besides there was this great aura of mystery that surrounded the eucharist as the priest said mass with his back to the people and shrouded in clouds of incense. The altar was far from the people who had to kneel at the altar rails to receive communion. These rails were like a barrier to keep the sinful and unkempt from soiling the sacred space where the eucharist was celebrated virtually in secret. I hope today we can be far less judgmental and welcoming to the very people that Jesus ate with. Mind you, if we are honest, we would identify more with the tax-collectors and sinners than with Pharisees and scribes. Don’t worry. Jesus is always seeking your company.