When Heaven Rejoices
A Homily for the 3rd Sunday After Trinity
If you've been journeying through the Christian life with us here at St. Benedict's, you've probably heard me say a time or two that the church is the keeper of time. The liturgical clock tells us that we are in the season called Trinitytide, a period in the Christian calendar that follows Pentecost and focuses on the Christian life lived in union with the Holy Trinity.
The color green, often associated with life and growth, is used during this season to symbolize the spiritual growth and renewal that we are called to during Trinitytide. As Christians, we hold a profound belief in transformation. More than this, we believe in transfiguration, a concept beyond simple transformation. Transfiguration is not just about changing our attitudes or behaviors but a complete and awe-inspiring remaking of our entire being, body, and soul. It is about death transformed to eternal life, foolishness into wisdom, adultery into fidelity, despair transformed into faith, and faith working through love (Gal 4:6). This belief in transfiguration, this transformative power, is at the heart of Trinitytide. This season invites us to grow in sanctification and become more like Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Sanctification, being remade into the image of Jesus Christ, is the Christian life, and transfiguration is the reward awaiting all who are faithful. Faith in Christ is not just a belief but a way of life. It is demonstrated by our willingness to hear and obey what he says, do what he asks, and become like him in the doing of his words. So, over these many Trinity Sundays, we would do well to focus on the words Jesus speaks and order our lives accordingly.
Trinitytide begins where all sanctification starts: in our rebirth by the water and spirit in the Sacrament of Holy Baptism. This Sacrament, often called the 'door' to the other sacraments, is a key part of our Christian journey. As Jesus said on Trinity Sunday, it is through baptism that we are born again, and it is this rebirth that marks the beginning of Trinitytide, a season of growth and sanctification.
Having been born again, He warns us on the 1st Sunday in Trinitytide against the seriousness of unbelief, pointing out the Pharisees, who are so committed to their hard-heartedness that not even a man rising from the dead will garner their attention! Last Sunday, Jesus warned against neglecting the frequent reception of the Lord's Supper by refusing the King's invitation to eat with Him and how worldly excuses lead to Divine rejection: "None of those who were bidden shall taste of my supper."
Today, on this third Sunday in Trinitytide, Jesus speaks two parables in answer to a single charge against him: He receives and eats with sinners. Through these two parables, our Lord answers the Pharisees' criticism and explains why he chooses to associate and commune with sinners. It's important to note that although he's responding to the Pharisees, he's addressing his disciples and followers because he has an important lesson for them (and for us as well).
First, he shows them how to interact with sinners by setting an example. Second, he emphasizes the crucial role of repentance in any sinner's journey back to God. So, let's begin with imitation and then move to application in hopes of a renewed commitment to listen to our Shepherd's words.
Question: How does Jesus relate to sinners, and what are we to learn?
First: Jesus Embraces Intimacy With Reprobates. St. Luke writes, "THEN drew near unto him all the Publicans and sinners to hear him. And the Pharisees and Scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them." Note that sinners are not just drawing near to Jesus, they are welcomed with open arms. That ought to reassure us of God's love and desire for our redemption! Something is captivating about him. Like a sweet fragrance, openness, and hospitality emanate from his way of life. He receives sinners; he doesn't turn them away or flee when they appear. He welcomes those who come, including the less desirable. Surely, they sense they are welcome, that he might care about them, have something to say, and listen. Some of us need to take instruction from our Lord and take down the walls we've constructed between ourselves and "them."
"He even eats with them." Jesus isn't interested in some loose association with sinners. He has more than surface-level conversation in mind, keeping a safe proximity between himself and them. No, Jesus invites them into his house, to his table, and breaks bread with them because our Lord is interested in real intimacy, in a mutual sharing of self that demands vulnerability and risk. You see, the Lord's table is a reflection of himself, and he is willing to share both abundantly.
Second, Jesus Isn’t A Separatist. Contrast Jesus' response to sinners with the criticism and complaining about the people Jesus chooses to associate with. He received the Pharisees (they had no problem with that), but he also received wicked, torah-breaking, unclean sinners. Jesus is deliberately relating and communing with the Godless, and the Pharisees are disgusted and embarrassed because Jesus refuses to separate himself from his unsavory dinner guests. But Jesus knows that separation leads to death. Surely, the account of the Fall from Genesis 3 makes my point! Jesus associates with all types of sinners, from the socially unacceptable to the morally corrupt, demonstrating his love and acceptance for all.
He happily befriends the undesirables and eats with them, offering true friendship because he desires to draw sinners back to God his Father. That is why he receives sinners. The separatist gospel preached by the Pharisees leads only to death, but our Lord preaches the Gospel of Life by overcoming all that sin has separated to save that which was lost, and that would include sinners like you and me. Pharisees and those like them could care less about the redemption and restoration of a sinner.
But Jesus cares, and he makes this clear by telling two parables. One is about a Shepherd who leaves his flock to search for a lost sheep. And the second is about a widow who goes to great lengths to find one common coin. In just two pithy parables, Jesus expresses how deep and far God goes to love. The parable of the Good Shepherd illustrates our Lord's great concern and love for each lost sinner—every sheep matters, especially the one that loses its way. For Jesus, the value of retrieving one lost sheep is no less than holding on to the ninety-nine. In fact, finding and rescuing one lost sheep might be more special and of more value to the Lord.
So, if the parable of the Good Shepherd speaks to God's great concern for the lost, then the parable of the lost coin demonstrates the effort he’s willing to exert to find them. Jesus says the woman lit a candle and looked in every possible nook and cranny. She swept up the entire house and looked under all the furniture until she found what she was looking for. She was relentless in her pursuit; my friends, Jesus is no different. He did whatever it took to save us from our sins. He shed his blood to return us to the Father and gladly gave his own life to retrieve us from the jaws of death.
My friends, the applications are clear:
Those who follow Jesus must do as he does: we should always seek the lost and call them to repentance.
When we sin, repentance is how we are found. We must want to return to the flock, amend our lives, and receive forgiveness.
God puts in great effort and rejoices greatly when a single sinner repents and is restored, and he invites others into his joy, like the Shepherd and the woman who invited their friends and neighbors to share in the joy of retrieving what was lost!
What could be more wonderful, beautiful, and joyful on this side of heaven? Nothing should elicit more joy than a repentant sinner restored, especially when we are that sinner. My friends, when we come together on the Lord’s Day (as we have today), we are but a gathering of found sheep, a treasure chest filled with found coins, rejoicing in our salvation, our restoration through repentance, and reunion with God.
This is why we have gathered together to offer this Eucharist, which is our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to God: because he mercifully receives sinners and gladly eats with them. Beloved, hear this and take it to heart: no matter how far you stray, no matter how lost you might be, repentance, true repentance, always leads back to God. And God, in Christ, will receive you joyfully, and the heavens will rejoice, for Jesus says, "There is joy in the presence of the Angels of God over one sinner that repenteth." Amen+
