These parables live a rich life in the atrium. The youngest children respond with a happy sigh, or an “of course!” when pondering the shepherd searching for his sheep. One child proclaimed that the sheep never run away, they only get lost. As adults we know differently, and even the older children are perplexed by the shepherd leaving the 99 and searching for the one. This holds true for the woman searching for the coin - the younger the child the more this makes complete sense. I’m pondering this reality as I think about our Lord’s admonition to be like the little child - to live in certitude of His unfathomable love and mercy. The forgiving Father, or found son, is shared with the children after the age of 7. They also give the contented sigh upon hearing: “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him…” We wonder together at the joy, and how long he had been waiting. It’s lovely to think about, no?
