Romans 14 : 7-12 / Luke 15 : 1-10 (2022)
There had been many suggestions as to what is the most important verse or phrase in the Bible.
Well, the top contender seems to be John 3:16-17, follow by a host of profound Bible verses and passages.
Chapter 15 of the gospel of St. Luke may sound rather ordinary and today's gospel passage may just be about parables.
But nonetheless, today's gospel passage reflects the essential message of the the Bible, and that is, it emphatically illustrates God's inexplicable and infinite love to save every man and woman whom He created in His image and likeness.
There are only 3 parables in Chapter 15 of the gospel of Luke - the Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin, the Prodigal Son.
The scribes and Pharisees criticized Jesus for always being in the company of sinners and ritually impure people and the so-called bad company.
But Jesus always had a very deep compassion towards these so-called sinners. He even said that it is not the well who need a doctor but the ill.
Even this aspect of Jesus is not often understood by us who are His disciples.
Because we too have this tendency to criticize and judge others according to our standards or beliefs.
Certainly this is not something new, because even the 1st reading reminds the Romans, as well as reminds us, not to pass judgement on a brother or treat him with contempt.
We may be able to quote the profound verses and remember the important passages of the Bible.
May we also remember to put the core message of love in the Bible into our lives as disciples of Jesus.