The Parable of the Lost Coin
In this Holy Year of Mercy, this Parable of Mercy presents us with an invitation to reflect on the overwhelming mercy of God.
‘Or what woman having ten silver coins, if she loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbours, saying, “Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.” Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.’
LUKE 15: 8 – 10
Reflecting on the image
In this parable, Jesus uses the image of a woman to portray God’s mercy. The coin she lost, a drachma, was the equivalent of a day’s wage. So, as small as this coin might seem, it was very precious and held a great value for her. In this image, the woman is announcing her good news to the neighbourhood. Her face reveals something of the exhaustion and intensity of the search she had undertaken, as well as the relief and joy she feels at having found what was lost. Spend some time with this image and begin to relate it to your own life. When have you felt lost or in a dark place? When have you experienced the mercy of God ‘sweeping’ you out of that dark corner?
Praying with the image
Ponder these words as an expression of God’s loving mercy: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. Because you are precious in my sight, and honoured, and I love you.
—ISAIAH 43:1—2, 4