With a pesky, straying sheep replacing reformed tax collector (& notorious Sycamore tree climber) Zacchaeus as the focus of First Communion Preparation in Ireland, it's only fair to give the modern version.

Once there was a geographically disadvantaged (lost) sheep who wandered away from the flock in search of fresh grass. Due to attention deficit by the shepherd it took several hours to notice this absence.

He was faced with a moral dilemma. Leave the ninety-nine sheep and search for the lost one? This risked the majority being prey to animal predators or an ethically challenged person coopting the sheep for personal use. However, being committed to equal justice for all animals, he went searching.

Upon finding it, his self-esteem was greatly enhanced and carrying it back reunited it with the flock to much happy bleating.

All his neighbours rejoiced with him for finding his geographically dislocated sheep. However one emotionally different neighbour commented it was a stupid choice to leave the many in search of one. Whereupon his shocked peers immediately began his reeducation in how to be respectful of the feelings of other persons.

After Jesus had finished this story, the Pharisees and scribes said, "So what are you getting at?"

Jesus said, "Here's the point; There is more joy in heaven over one morally different person who become reeducated than over ninety-nine self-righteous person who don't think they need reeducation.

The Pharisees and scribes said to each other, "This Jesus fellow is the victim of nonlinear thought processes. He is spiritually dysfunctional."

(Comments to Tom at tomascox@eircom.net )