Christ as the good shepherd
Lucas Cranach, 1540
Lost Coin
Domenico Fetti, 1620
Prodigal Son
BartolomeĢ Esteban Murillo, 1670
My dear friends,
Today, we are going to reflect on the insightful teachings presented in Luke 15:1-10 and Luke 15:11-32. Here we find three parables told by Jesus: The Lost Sheep, The Lost Coin, and The Prodigal Son. Jesus imparted these parables to illustrate an important spiritual teaching.
Why did Jesus tell these parables? It's essential to examine the setting. He was surrounded by tax collectors and sinners, while the Pharisees and scribes stood at a distance, judging Jesus for associating with such individuals. Jesus' response to this criticism was these three parables, demonstrating the limitless compassion of God and his willingness to accept and forgive everyone, even those who seem most lost.
A common thread interweaves these parables: lost and found, abandonment and reunion, despair and hope. They all depict something precious that was lost and then found, which brings great joy. The shepherd seeks the lost sheep; the woman searches for her lost coin; the father longs for his lost son. When the lost is found, there is not punishment or condemnation, only celebration and joy.
In these parables, we see a reflection of our spiritual journey. We are like the lost sheep, wandering in the wilderness of ignorance, driven by our ego and desires. We are like the lost coin, invaluable yet misplaced and hidden beneath layers of worldly dust. And we are like the prodigal son, having left our true home, we squander our spiritual wealth in the pursuit of transient worldly pleasures.
However, our spiritual journey does not end in despair. Just like the shepherd who does not rest until he finds the lost sheep, the divine essence within us seeks our true nature. Like the woman who lights a lamp to find the coin, we must illuminate the darkness of our ignorance with the light of wisdom. And, like the father who waits for his son's return, the infinite compassion of the Universe embraces us when we decide to return to our spiritual home.
Dear friends, these parables are not just ancient stories, but a mirror to our own spiritual journey. We are encouraged to understand that we are never abandoned or judged, regardless of our mistakes or how far we have strayed. Instead, we are always given a chance for renewal and spiritual growth. The divine compassion is boundless and always welcoming.
In Mahayana Buddhism, we often speak about the Bodhisattva's aspiration to free all sentient beings from suffering. This aspiration is analogous to the shepherd seeking his lost sheep. It doesn't matter how far the sheep has strayed; the shepherd's love does not diminish. So too, no matter how lost we might feel, the compassionate essence within us remains untouched, ready to guide us back.
The lesson we draw from these parables is not only of hope and compassion but also a call to action. It invites us to participate in the divine work of searching, illuminating, and welcoming. It's a call to help others who are lost, to light the lamp of wisdom for those in the dark, to welcome and forgive those who have gone astray.
My dear friends, let us cherish these parables as a reminder of our spiritual journey from lost to found, from ignorance to wisdom, from despair to hope. Let's remember that regardless of our mistakes, we are always welcomed with infinite compassion. Let us also strive to be the shepherd, the woman, and the father in our lives, extending our compassion and forgiveness to all without exception.
May all of us find our true home in the heart of compassion and wisdom. May all beings be free from suffering and its causes. May all beings find true peace and happiness.