133. Parables Concerning God’s Mercy Toward Sinners

Now all the tax collectors and sinners were drawing near to Him to hear Him. And the Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying: He receives sinners and eats with them. But He said to them the following parable:

What man of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one which is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing, and when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors and says to them: Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.

I tell you, just so there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek carefully until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors and says: Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.

Thus, I say to you, there is joy before the Angels of God over one sinner who repents.