{"id":5586,"date":"2025-03-30T02:49:00","date_gmt":"2025-03-30T02:49:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/?p=5586"},"modified":"2025-04-03T10:30:34","modified_gmt":"2025-04-03T09:30:34","slug":"commentary-on-4th-sun-of-lent-c","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/commentary-on-4th-sun-of-lent-c\/","title":{"rendered":"Commentary on 4th Sun of Lent (C), 30.03.2025"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

TEXT \u2014 Luke. 15: 1\u201332 \u2014 Three parables \u2014 lost sheep; lost coin; two sons<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Setting<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to \nhear him. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying, \u201cThis \nman receives sinners and eats with them.\u201d 3 So he told them this \nparable:<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lost Sheep<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

4: \u201cWhat man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one \nof them, does not leave the ninety\u2013nine in the wilderness, and go after \nthe one which is lost, until he finds it? 5: And when he has found it, \nhe lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6: And when he comes home, he \ncalls together his friends and his neighbours, saying to them, \u2018Rejoice \nwith me, for I have found my sheep which was lost.\u2019 7: Just so, I tell \nyou, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than \nover ninety\u2013nine righteous persons who need no repentance. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lost Coin<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

8: \u201cOr what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one \ncoin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently \nuntil she finds it? 9: And when she has found it, she calls together her\n friends and neighbours, saying, \u2018Rejoice with me, for I have found the \ncoin which I had lost.\u2019 10: Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the\n angels of God over one sinner who repents.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Younger Son Leaves Home<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

11 And he said, \u201cThere was a man who had two sons; 12 and the \nyounger of them said to his father, \u2018Father, give me the share of \nproperty that falls to me.\u2019 And he divided his living between them. 13 \nNot many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took his \njourney into a far country, and there he squandered his property in \nloose living.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tragedy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

14 And when he had spent everything, a great famine arose in that\n country, and he began to be in want. 15 So he went and joined himself \nto one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to \nfeed swine. 16 And he would gladly have fed on the pods that the swine \nate; and no one gave him anything.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Resolve<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

17 But when he came to himself he said, \u2018How many of my father\u2019s \nhired servants have bread enough and to spare, but I perish here with \nhunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, \n\u201cFather, I have sinned against heaven and before you; 19 I am no longer \nworthy to be called your son; treat me as one of your hired servants.\u201d\u2018 \n20 And he arose and came to his father.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Homecoming<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But while he was yet at a distance, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

21 And the son said to him, \u2018Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

22 But the father said to his servants, \u2018Bring quickly the best \nrobe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his \nfeet; 23 and bring the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and make \nmerry; 24 for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and\n is found.\u2019 And they began to make merry. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elder Son<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

25 \u201cNow his elder son was in the field; and as he came and drew \nnear to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 And he called one of \nthe servants and asked what this meant. 27 And he said to him, \u2018Your \nbrother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he\n has received him safe and sound.\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

28 But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and\n entreated him, 29 but he answered his father, \u2018Lo, these many years I \nhave served you, and I never disobeyed your command; yet you never gave \nme a kid, that I might make merry with my friends. 30 But when this son \nof yours came, who has devoured your living with harlots, you killed for\n him the fatted calf!\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

31 And he said to him, \u2018Son, you are always with me, and all that\n is mine is yours. 32 It was fitting to make merry and be glad, for this\n your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.\u2019\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

EXPLANATION<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Introduction<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This chapter contains three parables about the mercy of God towards \nsinners. The chapter is often referred to as the \u201cGospel within the \nGospel\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The complete chapter forms the Gospel passage for Ordinary Time Sunday 24C.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Lent Sunday 4C, verses 4\u201310, the first and second of the three \nparables, are omitted. However, as they are not long but bring out the \nmessage, they are included here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing \nnear to hear him. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying, \n\u201cThis man receives sinners and eats with them.\u201d 3 So he told them this \nparable:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNow the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him<\/em>\u201d \u2014 Chapter 14 ended with the words, \u201cHe who has ears to hear, let him hear<\/em>\u201d\n (Lk. 14: 35). Those words were a challenge for sinners and this chapter\n 15 opens with the tax collectors and sinners coming close to Jesus to \nhear his words. \u2018Hearing\u2019 is a sign in Luke of conversion (Lk. 5: 1, 15;\n 6: 17, 27, 47, 49; 7: 29; 8: 8\u201318; 9: 35; 10: 16, 24, 39; 11: 28, \n31).Hearers are acknowledging their sinfulness and doing something about\n it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jesus was very welcoming to the \u201ctax collectors and sinners<\/em>\u201d because he came on earth for sinners (Lk. 5: 30; 7; 34), to save them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd the Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying, \u201cThis man receives sinners and eats with them<\/em>\u201d \u2014 \u201cThis man\u201d is a contemptuous reference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Accepting sinners and eating with them is one of the main objections \nthe Pharisees and scribes had against Jesus. In this way they showed \nthat they rejected Jesus and expressed this by murmuring and \ncomplaining.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201ceats with them<\/em>\u201d \u2014 He treated them as friends, companions, \nsharing the same table. The word \u201ccompanion\u201d is composed of two Latin \nwords (com\u2013panis) which mean to share bread with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking about John the Baptist in Chapter 7, Jesus praised him and \nthe tax collectors were very pleased because they had been baptised by \nhim. The Pharisees and scribes were not pleased because they had not \naccepted John\u2019s baptism and God\u2019s purpose for them \u2014 \u201c(When they \nheard this all the people and the tax collectors justified God, having \nbeen baptized with the baptism of John; but the Pharisees and the \nlawyers rejected the purpose of God for themselves, not having been \nbaptized by him.)\u201d<\/em> (Lk. 7: 29\u201330).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSo he told them this parable<\/em>\u201d \u2014 These three parables are \naddressed to the Pharisees and scribes. Jesus will describe searching \nfor and welcoming sinners (Lk. 15: 4\u20137; 8\u201310; 11\u201332). All three stress \nthe initiative of the shepherd, the woman and the father.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4: \u201cWhat man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has \nlost one of them, does not leave the ninety\u2013nine in the wilderness, and \ngo after the one which is lost, until he finds it? 5: And when he has \nfound it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6: And when he comes \nhome, he calls together his friends and his neighbours, saying to them, \n\u2018Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost.\u2019 7: Just so,\n I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who \nrepents than over ninety\u2013nine righteous persons who need no repentance. <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat man of you<\/em>\u201d \u2014 Jesus challenges the Pharisees. If they \nlose something, they search until they find. Then they restore what was \nlost to its original place and celebrate. Jesus asks the question, \n\u2018Well, why should that be different to losing a person through sin? \nHeaven rejoices; why not you self\u2013righteous Pharisees?\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201chaving a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not \nleave the ninety\u2013nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is \nlost, until he finds it?<\/em>\u201d \u2014 The shepherd goes to great lengths and takes huge risks by leaving the ninety\u2013nine \u201cin the wilderness<\/em>\u201d while he searches for the lost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing<\/em>\u201d \u2014 Luke emphasises the joy of finding the lost sheep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shepherd has to carry the lost sheep because when a sheep is lost it lies down and refuses to move.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his \nneighbours, saying to them, \u2018Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep \nwhich was lost\u2019<\/em>\u201d \u2014 \u201cRejoice<\/em>\u201d. The lost sheep and the coin \nare not worth much compared to the ninety\u2013nine or the nine. Yet, when \nfound both the shepherd and the woman rejoice: Nothing and no one is \ninsignificant to God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The refrain of joy and merrymaking is repeated eight times: verses 6, 7, 9, 10; 23, 24; 29, 32.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cJust so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one \nsinner who repents than over ninety\u2013nine righteous persons who need no \nrepentance<\/em>\u201d \u2014 Jesus described the purpose of his mission as \u201cI have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.<\/em>\u201d (Lk. 5: 32).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jesus is letting the Pharisees know that their attitude of self\u2013righteousness is not the proper attitude.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

8: \u201cOr what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses \none coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently \nuntil she finds it? 9: And when she has found it, she calls together her\n friends and neighbours, saying, \u2018Rejoice with me, for I have found the \ncoin which I had lost.\u2019 10: Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the\n angels of God over one sinner who repents.\u201d <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOr what woman<\/em>\u201d \u2014 The question is addressed to the Pharisees (verse 4).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Luke frequently adds the example of a female to that of a male (Lk. \n1: 6\u20137; 2: 36\u201338; 4: 25, 38; 7: 11\u201315, 36\u201350; 8: 1\u20133, 19\u201321, 43\u201356; 10: \n38\u201342; 11: 27; 13: 10\u201317).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201chaving ten silver coins\u201d \u2014 <\/em>This silver coin was a \u201cdrachma\u201d, of about the same value as a denarius, approximately a day\u2019s wage for an agricultural worker.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cif she loses one coin, does not light a lamp<\/em>\u201d \u2014 The woman had to light a lamp because there were no proper windows in the houses of the poor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cand sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? And \nwhen she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbours, \nsaying, \u2018Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin which I had lost.\u2019 \nJust so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one \nsinner who repents.<\/em>\u201d \u2014 This parable is almost word\u2013identical with the parable of the lost sheep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The refrain of joy and merrymaking is repeated eight times: verses 6, 7, 9, 10; 23, 24; 29, 32.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cbefore the angels of God<\/em>\u201d \u2014 Verse 7 spoke of \u201cin heaven<\/em>\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

11 And he said, \u201cThere was a man who had two sons; 12 and\n the younger of them said to his father, \u2018Father, give me the share of \nproperty that falls to me.\u2019 And he divided his living between them. 13 \nNot many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took his \njourney into a far country, and there he squandered his property in \nloose living.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

And he said, \u201cThere was a man who had two sons<\/em>\u201d \u2014 The father is the central character in this parable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cand the younger of them said to his father, \u2018Father, give me the share of property that falls to me.<\/em>\u2019\u201d\n \u2014 The Law laid down the portion of a father\u2019s property that would be \ngiven to each of the sons \u2014 the elder got two\u2013thirds, the younger \none\u2013third. The younger son is quite bold in asking for his share now, \nbefore his father\u2019s death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd he divided his living between them. Not many days later, the\n younger son gathered all he had and took his journey into a far \ncountry, and there he squandered his property in loose living<\/em>\u201d \u2014 The \u201cloose living\u201d could also be described as \u2018reckless extravagance\u2019 by which he became impoverished.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

14 And when he had spent everything, a great famine arose\n in that country, and he began to be in want. 15 So he went and joined \nhimself to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his \nfields to feed swine. 16 And he would gladly have fed on the pods that \nthe swine ate; and no one gave him anything.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd when he had spent everything, a great famine arose in that country, and he began to be in want<\/em>\u201d \u2014 When he had nothing left the \u201cgreat famine<\/em>\u201d meant that any friends or acquaintances he might have had could not help him as they too were in dire straits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSo he went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed swine<\/em>\u201d\n \u2014 Because pigs were the animals most used in Greek and Roman \nsacrifices, Jews regarded these animals as symbolizing paganism and to \nhave anything to do with them was tantamount to apostasy from Judaism. \nThe younger son had lowered himself into one of the most reprehensible \noccupations a Jew could undertake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd he would gladly have fed on the pods that the swine ate<\/em>\u201d \u2014 He did not eat the pods, probably because the food of pigs disgusted him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cand no one gave him anything<\/em>\u201d \u2014 Pigs were of more value and importance than the younger son; they had priority in food even over people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The implication is that he stole his food, another sin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

17 But when he came to himself he said, \u2018How many of my \nfather\u2019s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, but I perish \nhere with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to\n him, \u201cFather, I have sinned against heaven and before you; 19 I am no \nlonger worthy to be called your son; treat me as one of your hired \nservants.\u201d\u2018 20 And he arose and came to his father.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBut when he came to himself he said<\/em>\u201d \u2014 When he realised what a course of action he had undertaken and was pursuing, he said:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c\u2018How many of my father\u2019s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, but I perish here with hunger!<\/em>\u201d \u2014 He remembers his father\u2019s goodness and generosity to his servants and slaves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Memory of former goodness plays an important part in conversion and repentance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI will arise and go to my father<\/em>\u201d \u2014 The son makes a firm resolution to go to his father and confess his faults.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cand I will say to him, \u2018Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son<\/em>\u2019\u201d \u2014 The son resolves to express his sorrow:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201ctreat me as one of your hired servants.<\/em>\u201d \u2014 Because he is \nnot worthy on account of his behaviour, the son plans to request not to \nbe treated as a member of the family with family privileges such as \nequal status and inheritance but as a servant with a wage and without \nthe guarantee of permanence. This is his expression of repentance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd he arose and came to his father<\/em>\u201d \u2014 He put his resolve into action; he did not postpone indefinitely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Note the three stages in conversion and repentance: (i) admittance of\n sin; (ii) sorrow at not being God\u2019s son; (iii) acceptance of a suitable\n penance to show the sincerity of his contrition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But while he was yet at a distance, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBut while he was yet at a distance, his father saw him and had compassion<\/em>\u201d\n \u2014 His father was constantly on the watch for the return of his son, \nobviously even before the boy decided to return. He really loved him and\n missed him and patiently hoped for his homecoming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The father\u2019s compassion included the forgiveness of losing all the \ninheritance he had given to the son who had squandered it and also the \nfact that he had associated with gentiles by feeding swine. The father\u2019s\n love overlooked the sins of the young man.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cand ran and embraced him and kissed him<\/em>\u201d \u2014 The father was \nin no way indifferent to the son\u2019s return. He did not remain at a \ndistance until the son came and humbled himself. He did not saunter or \nwalk to meet him. He \u201cran<\/em>\u201d to meet him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For a Jewish father to run, embrace and kiss his grown son in public \nwas most unbecoming. But it does show God\u2019s eagerness to greet repentant\n sinners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

21 And the son said to him, \u2018Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.\u2019<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd the son said to him, \u2018Father<\/em>\u2019\u201d \u2014 Even though he was about to request to be treated as a servant, he uses the word \u201cFather<\/em>\u201d; he is still his son, unlike the elder brother\u2019s attitude as we will note.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son<\/em>\u2019\u201d \u2014 The son mentions the sin against God before his sin regarding his father.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The father ignores these words and interrupts his son, not allowing \nhim to say anything else he had intended to say. It is as if he was \nsaying, \u2018do not be stupid now and say that you are not worthy to be my \nson; of course, you are\u201d. Note that he did not reproach him for his \npast. In this way the father showed how overjoyed he was and how he \nloved his son.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

22 But the father said to his servants, \u2018Bring quickly \nthe best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes \non his feet; 23 and bring the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat \nand make merry; 24 for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was \nlost, and is found.\u2019 And they began to make merry. <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBut the father said to his servants, \u2018Bring quickly the best \nrobe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his \nfeet; and bring the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and make \nmerry<\/em>\u201d \u2014 \u201cthe best robe<\/em>\u201d would be a ceremonial robe, \nprobably the father\u2019s own; the signet ring would be the sign of \nauthority and the shoes or sandals would be for the feet of members of \nthe family; servants and slaves went barefoot. All three were signs of \nspecial status and freedom of those who were not slaves or servants (Gn.\n 41: 42; Esther 3: 10; I Mac 6: 15). The son is fully restored to the \nfamily status.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Could it be that the son had no footwear, having been a servant to a Gentile? This is a thought.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

APPLICATION<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Father:<\/strong> This Sunday Gospel is the best known and\n most loved of all the parables. The parable of the father and two sons \nis most frequently called \u201cThe Prodigal Son\u201d. He occupies verses 11 to \n24. He has no active part to play in the second part, verses 25 to 32, \nwhich deal with the elder brother. The central figure is the father who \ndominates the entire parable. He is entirely wrapped up in his family of\n two sons and he loves both passionately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both sons share the sin of selfishness and each lives for himself. \nNeither shows any great personal love for the father. Both are prepared \nto use him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no doubt that the parable is primarily about the love, mercy\n and compassion of God the Father, represented by \u201cthe father\u201d. It is \nunfortunate that because of his false preconceived ideas the elder son \ncannot understand his father\u2019s love for both sons or how he could show \nmercy to the younger, with whom he did not agree. It is also unfortunate\n that so many people cannot understand, and perhaps do not even try to \nunderstand, how God the Father can love them as he does<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the characteristics of \u201cthe father<\/em>\u201d? He loves each \nson deeply and cannot do enough for both. We can say that he lives for \nboth and does not show more preference for one over the other. He \ndesires nothing more than to have each live with him and be a united \nfamily. Unfortunately that is not how both sons perceive their \nrelationship with the father. While they admit that they are sons they \nregard themselves as servants, indeed slaves. The younger returns home \nto be a slave; the elder regards his years of living at home as no \nbetter than slavery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The father does not reprimand or find fault with either son on \nreturning home. He welcomes both and treats each with tenderness. When \none has left him the father never gives up hope of his return but waits \npatiently. When both come home he celebrates lavishly because he is so \noverjoyed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We can be like the sons. One dissipated his father\u2019s gifts; the other\n ignored the gifts he had received from his father, was unforgiving and \nhad no reason to be other than jealous over some perceived hurt<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is worth recalling that we can be God\u2019s children only when we have\n his characteristics. From this parable we learn that like our Father we\n must love God\u2019s children including the sinners and those who have \nseparated themselves from him. Like our Father we must keep seeking for \nthe return and give an outstanding welcome when that happens. \u201cWe must \ncelebrate and rejoice\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sacrament of Reconciliation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Bible says that sin is universal; everybody sins. Indeed, \u201che who\n says he has no sin is a liar\u201d. We all know this. But like the older \nbrother, some do not admit it. He was too self\u2013righteous to acknowledge \nthe truth. He refused to own up to the several sins recorded about him. \nHe refused to be one with his father.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe whole power of the sacrament of Penance consists in restoring us\n to God\u2019s grace and joining us with him in an intimate friendship. \nReconciliation with God is thus the purpose and effect of this \nsacrament. (Catechism of the Catholic Church<\/em>, 1468)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This sacrament brings about a spiritual resurrection. We are restored\n to the dignity and blessings of the life of the children of God<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A big difference between the younger and elder sons was that the \nyounger made a firm resolution, \u201cI will arise and go to my father\u201d. The \nelder man refused to go with his father. Lent is a time for \nreconciliation with God. How many are like the younger or elder son?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps a better way of looking at my condition is to judge how \nhonest I am with God \u2014 really sincere and truthful about my \nrelationship, or fooling myself, like the elder brother?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

TEXT \u2014 Luke. 15: 1\u201332 \u2014 Three parables \u2014 lost sheep; lost coin; two sons Setting 1 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying, \u201cThis man receives sinners and eats with them.\u201d 3 So he told them this parable: Lost<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":3674,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[45],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5586","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-commentary"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5586","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5586"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5586\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7436,"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5586\/revisions\/7436"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3674"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5586"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5586"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5586"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}