On the Acts of the Apostles (Epic) 102

(Matt. xviii, 10-14; Luke xv, 3-10.) See that you despise not one of these little ones; for I say to you that their angels in heaven always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven. For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. And he spoke to them this parable, saying: What think you? If a man have a hundred sheep, and one of them should go astray, doth he not leave the ninety-nine in the mountains or in the desert, and go to seek that which is gone astray? And if it so be that he find it, he layeth it upon his shoulders rejoicing; and coming home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying to them: Rejoice with me, because I have found my sheep that was lost.

Amen I say to you, that he shall rejoice more over that one than over the ninety-nine which went not astray, and have no need of repentance. Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish. Or what woman having ten drachmas, if she lose one drachma, doth she not light a candle and sweep the house, and seek diligently until she find it? And when she hath found it, she calleth together her friends and neighbours, saying: Rejoice with me, for I have found the drachma which I had lost. So I say to you, there shall be joy before the angels of God upon one sinner doing penance, more than upon ninety-nine just who need not penance.