“The parables of the lost sheep.
15:1. Now the publicans and sinners drew near unto him to hear him.
15:2. And the Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying: This man receiveth sinners and eateth with them.
15:3. And he spoke to them this parable, saying:
15:4. What man of you that hath an hundred sheep, and if he shall lose one of them, doth he not leave the ninety-nine in the desert and go after that which was lost, until he find it?
15:5. And when he hath found it, lay it upon his shoulders, rejoicing?
15:6. And coming home, call together his friends and neighbours, saying to them: Rejoice with me, because I have found my sheep that was lost?
15:7. I say to you that even so there shall be joy in heaven upon one sinner that”
“that doth penance, more than upon ninety-nine just who need not penance.
15:8. Or what woman having ten groats, if she lose one groat, doth not light a candle and sweep the house and seek diligently until she find it?
15:9. And when she hath found it, call together her friends and neighbours, saying: Rejoice with me, because I have found the groat which I had lost.
15:10. So I say to you, there shall be joy before the angels of God upon one sinner doing penance.
Before the angels. . .By this it is plain that the spirits in heaven have a concern for us below, and a joy at our repentance and consequently a knowledge of it.
