The Mystery of One

 

Having one is joyful, losing One is saddened.

Reflection on Today’s Readings, 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, September 11th, 2022
Texts: Exodus 32:7-11.13-14; Psalm 51:3-4. 12-13.17.19; 1 Timothy 1 : 12-17; Luke 15:1-32

The mystery of One tells us that having one is joyful, losing One is saddened. We all know that One is the least of all number but counting cannot begin without it. It is the foundation of all numbers. The progression to higher number also needs accumulation of One. In this case it is not only the foundation but also the building block of other numbers. Every number is made up of One. The joy of having begins with having One. One gives hope and assurance of a higher numbers. Success begins with the ability to retain One.

Just as gaining begins with One, so also losing begins with One. As we begin to lose One, it dawns on us that we can lose all the same way. The loss of One is a bad omen while the gain of one is a good omen. The ability to retain one is ability to retain all. A man who says, “but it is only one, I can let it go”, he is on the way to lose all he has. That is the mystery of one. Man knows instinctively this mystery and so always thrive to retain One.

Jesus Christ who knows us He is aware of this mystery in us.

Jesus Christ who knows us He is aware of this mystery in us. Hence, in today’s gospel reading, He says, “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? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbours, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost.’”

Jesus Christ makes us understand that we take this attribute after God. Hence, He continues, “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.” This quality is a gift of God to us; it is the part of God’s likeness in us. It is a mark of godliness in us and also His spirit.

We all have to know that we all have value before God individually. God’s devotion to our salvation shows that everyone has value and can be saved. Just as it will be foolish for a man to attempt to move mountain, so also it will be for God if He continues to call everyone when He knows they are lost forever. The fact that God is still calling us is a sign that we are not lost forever. We can still be saved.

We are lost forever only by our decision

St. Paul, in today’s second reading, tells us that he is an example that we can still be saved, no matter how sinful we might have become. In his words: “The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. And I am the foremost of sinners; but I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience for an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.”

The enemy of man is himself. We are lost forever only by our decision; it has never been the decision of God that we should be lost forever. This is clear in the life of the lost son in today’s gospel reading. It is said, “But when he came to himself he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me as one of your hired servants.’”

The lost son regains his salvation by his willingness to accept salvation. It is said of him thus: “And he arose and came to his father. But while he was yet at a distance, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.” God is always ready to welcome us back whenever we come back to Him.

The merit of Christ is efficacious and more trustworthy.

Today’s mediation of Moses assures us Christians of abundance of God’s mercy in Jesus Christ. Moses mediated and interceded for the people not based on his own merit but the merits of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. In his words: “Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, your servants, to whom you swore by your own self, and said to them, ‘I will multiply your descendants as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have promised I will give to your descendants, and they shall inherit it for ever.”’ He calmed the wrath of God by reminding Him of His promise to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

The people received the mercy of God because of their forefathers and His promise to them. There is more reason for God to pour out His loving mercy in Christ who died in obedience to Him. We have the merit of Christ, His Son, always available for us. The merit of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob foreshadowed that of Christ. The merit of Christ is efficacious and more trustworthy.

Know this:

If you can lose One, you can lose all

If you can gain One, you can gain all

If you can't have one you can have all

God of mercy and love, thank You for the mercy and love we enjoy in Christ Your Son; grant that we may not abuse it but always do your will in all things. Amen

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke