Today’s Gospel reading contains three parables that have a similar message. They all talk about being lost and being found: the lost sheep, the lost coin and the lost son. These parables illustrate God’s infinite mercy and His desire to seek, find and save the lost. He wants all to be saved. He waits patiently for our return to His loving arms. We are sinners, and we were lost in sin. But God looks for us patiently and diligently. He never wants any one of His children lost forever. He is willing to go out of His way and even to suffer and die so that we can be saved.  No matter how great our sins may have been, there is no reason for us to despair, for God has his arms always open and ready to welcome and forgive us and a sinner can change and become a saint with the help of God’s grace. Remember St. Peter, St. Mary Magdalene, St. Paul, St. Augustine, St. Francis, St. Ignatius.  All we need to do is be humble and contrite and return to the Father’s house through the sacrament of Confession.