Losing the search for the lost

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today have an underlying consideration for value. Paul tells the Philippians of how the value he puts in the things of the world and the flesh have bee reduced to nothing in comparison to the value he puts in his relationship with Christ. We have some human experiences which allow us to get close to understanding Paul’s attachment to Christ. Our experience of loving relationships is the basis to explore the possibility of love greater than our experience to date for which all else counts as nothing. In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus raises the value question for the religious authorities. The Laws which prohibit actions to help the misfortunate on the Sabbath are perhaps adjusted to allow action which might impact on personal wealth. The examples of the care to search for the missing coin or the wayward sheep are examples more of the Divine concern for all regardless of their value to the world than actual examples of action of most people, especially today who would “cut their losses” and not spend time and energy to return the low valued goods.