I tell you, in just the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance.
Luke 15:7
In the fifteenth chapter of Luke, Jesus tells three parables about lost things: a lost coin, a lost sheep, and a lost son. At the end of each parable, a celebration takes place when the lost item is found. Jesus explains in the verse above that there is more joy in heaven over the lost being found than of the ninety-nine that are already home.
If heaven rejoices when the lost are found, we ought to as well. As a parish, we want to celebrate every time someone who is far from God comes back home. There is perhaps no greater thrill as a Christ follower than knowing you have connected someone with their Savior.
Thank God today for the opportunity to lead others back to him. If you have not experienced this joy before, tell God that you want to experience it. Pray that you will experience the joy.