By: The Rev. Joanne Mumley
When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, 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.
In this passage for today, we see this is the same effort put forth by the woman looking high and low for the lost coin and by the man leaving his flock to search through the woods for his one lost sheep. Each is on a quest, not knowing if they will find the missing treasure. And they don’t yield from the difficulty or despair. Hope and purpose carries them as they search. Hope for Christians is shared in The Book of Common Prayer in its Catechism. It defines Christian hope in the following manner: “to live with confidence in newness and fullness of life, and to await the coming of Christ in glory, and the completion of God’s purpose for the world.”
As believers in Christ, we have a strong assurance of hope in our lives. This hope spurs on purposefulness and commitment, especially when we are involved with bringing others to know the sacrifice, love and grace of Christ. This is our biblical purpose; that is to “seek and save the lost.” We see people coming to know the grace of Christ throughout the year. They are the lost who come to understand the significance of “creation, incarnation, and re-creation.”5 When the sheep and coin are finally found, great joy fills their hearts. Both shout for joy, excitedly inviting their friends in celebrating. The joy is spread throughout the Communion of Saints.
The Lord loves new beginnings. He has placed those who need Him in your life or across your path. You can guarantee that. Please know that no one is ever outside His loving reach. No one is too lost for the love of Christ.
Don’t lose hope, live with confidence in newness and fullness of life, and when some of the lost in your life is found—Celebrate and REJOICE WITH THE SAINTS!
“There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Luke 15:10