In one Chapter, the 15th of his Gospel, St Luke discusses the issue of relating humanely so relevant for us today.

The advocates of animal rights, who argue that animals ought to be viewed as persons, must be pleased with the parable of Jesus of the lost sheep. The shephered of a flock of one hundred sheep really treats the only lost sheep humanely!

So also can be considered humanely the way that woman, in the other parable, has treated the lost coin.

A silver coin is far from a living being. In the case of the lost sheep, relating humanely means relating with care and affection, even at personal risk and sacrifice. In the case of the lost coin, relating humanely means relating with appreciation, evaluation and celebrating one’s precious value.

This contrasts the way of relating of some of the Pharisees and the scribes. They were scandalized at Jesus eating with sinners and publicans. They did not expect a human being to behave in such a way with such “people”. They understood the parables of Jesus, they new what it means to relate humanely. Yet, they could easily relate humanely with animals and objects rather with “certain” human beings! I am putting the word certain between inverted commas, because I want to challenge your intelligence. Do you think one can really relate with anybody humanely, if one relates inhumanely with some others?

This contrast is discussed and illustrated at greater depth in the third parable of the Father Rich in Mercy. One would think of the contrast between the two sons: the younger son, who, although he treated his Father inhumanely, he learned from what he suffered how to relate humanely with his Father; and the elder son, who, although apparently has always been in the company of his Father, has ultimately revealed his inhumane heart, leaving us guessing whether he has ever come to accept his Father’s son as his brother!

Yet, the real contrast is between the Father and his two sons; between the way this Father relates to His sons, in a real humane way (similar to the way that shepherd related to the lost sheep, and to the way that woman related to her lost coin), and the way these two brothers relate to their Father. Both of them relate to their Father in a very inhumane way, in spite of having such a Father and having been treated in such a way. If there is some difference between the two brothers is the experience the younger son had among the pigs. For the right place for someone who relates inhumanely with other human beings – notwithstanding how humanely he treats animals and objects – is in the farm of pigs! When he was treated inhumanely by the pigs, he realized what he deserved. A human being deserves to be treated humanely; every human being: from the womb to his death bed, whatever the color of his skin, whatever his sexual orientation, whatever his political, religious or cultural affiliation. And every human being has a right to be treated humanely by you!