The religious leaders were offended when they saw Jesus welcoming tax collectors and known sinners, even sharing meals with them. They murmured, “He receives sinners and eats with them.”

Jesus responded by telling them stories.

He said, “Suppose a shepherd has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes missing. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and carries it home. Then he calls his friends and neighbours together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’

In the same way, there is great joy in heaven over one sinner who turns back to God.”

Then Jesus continued, “Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbours and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’

In the same way, there is joy in the presence of God over one sinner who repents.”

“So it is in heaven. When one sinner turns back to God, there is rejoicing among the angels.”