Two thousand years ago
Jesus said
that the kingdom of God rejoices
when a sinner repents,
just like a woman who has lost a coin
and found it again.

If Jesus was telling
that same story today,
do you suppose
that He might say this?

“The kingdom of God
is like a woman
who has lost her handbag.
She tries desperately
to find it again.
The woman searches frantically,
racing from place to place
as she retraces her steps that day,
returning to every single shop
and asking everyone she meets
whether they have seen her handbag.

In her search she is acutely aware
and how precious that handbag’s contents are –
keys for home, work and the car,
money belonging to herself
and to others.
And the bank cards!

The woman fires highly-charged prayers
away up to heaven
and to Saint Anthony
in an appeal for help.

And when that handbag
is eventually found …
what a relief!
How carefree that woman feels!
She feels a need to celebrate,
telling friends, colleagues
and everyone she meets
her wonderful news!

That is the sort of celebration
and ecstasy
that is found in heaven
when someone returns to God.”

© Claire Murray, 11th April 2016

(Luke 15: 8-10)