Acceptance in Christ

Today’s Gospel Text:  Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying, "This man receives sinners and eats with them."

3 So he told them this parable: 4 "What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost, until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost.' 7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. 8 "Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? 9 And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin which I had lost.' 10 Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents." Luke 15:1-10

Reflection: I am sure many of us may have faced rejections in life and may have gone through moments of great pain and anxiety.

Some of us for a reason that has been good and sound and others may have gone through it for the wrong reasons. If we have realized our faults then we would get over the rejections fast and accept the reasons for our misery and overcome the hurt feelings of rejection faster.

What happens when we experience rejection for a right or good cause? What happens when we face rejections for somebody else’s faults? What happens when we face rejections rightly but on account of our weaknesses and compulsions?

In all this we have hope of acceptance in Jesus who accepts us in great love, no matter how sinful we may be: "This man receives sinners and eats with them." (vs.2)

The rejections of the world no longer matters to us, for we have acceptance in Christ Jesus. It is not an acceptance to sin more and do more wrong but it is an acceptance to return to sanity, truth and true love.

It is a call to change by living in the love of Christ Jesus, who himself suffered on account of the total rejection by men and by God who rejected him for a little while on account of our sins.

Christ Jesus not only accepts us but teaches us what is right from the wrong. He further strengthens us by grace to overcome the many weaknesses of our lives.

He also makes us instrument of his love to others, so that we are able to reach out in love and service; a service in which we present Christ Jesus as the perfect aide and company for the lonely who walk in righteousness before God.

Prayer:  God our Father, we thank you for sending Christ Jesus to be with us forever and to have his help in every difficult situation of life.

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