Daily Readings - Thu Nov 08 2018
Philippians
3For we are the circumcised, we who serve God in the Spirit and who glory in Christ Jesus, having no confidence in the flesh4Nevertheless, I might have confidence also in the flesh, for if anyone else seems to have confidence in the flesh, more so do I5For I was circumcised on the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, from the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew among Hebrews. According to the law, I was a Pharisee6according to zeal, I persecuted the Church of God; according to the justice that is in the law, I lived without blame7But the things which had been to my gain, the same have I considered a loss, for the sake of Christ8Yet truly, I consider everything to be a loss, because of the preeminent knowledge of Jesus Christ, my Lord, for whose sake I have suffered the loss of everything, considering it all to be like dung, so that I may gain Christ
Luke
1Now tax collectors and sinners were drawing near to him, so that they might listen to him2And the Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying, "This one accepts sinners and eats with them.3And he told this parable to them, saying4"What man among you, who has one hundred sheep, and if he will have lost one of them, would not leave the ninety-nine in the desert and go after the one whom he had lost, until he finds it5And when he has found it, he places it on his shoulders, rejoicing6And returning home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them: ‘Congratulate me! For I have found my sheep, which had been lost.7I say to you, that there will be so much more joy in heaven over one sinner repenting, than over the ninety-nine just, who do not need to repent8Or what woman, having ten drachmas, if she will have lost one drachma, would not light a candle, and sweep the house, and diligently search until she finds it9And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying: ‘Rejoice with me! For I have found the drachma, which I had lost.10So I say to you, there will be joy before the Angels of God over even one sinner who is repentant.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful reflections on what it means to seek and find God. The first reading from Philippians reveals St. Paul’s dramatic conversion of heart. Once a Pharisee who trusted in his own righteousness and achievements, Paul came to realize that all his earthly credentials were worthless compared to the surpassing value of knowing Christ. He describes his former life as “dung” in comparison to the treasure of union with Jesus. This is not a rejection of his Jewish heritage but a recognition that true righteousness comes not from outward observance but from a living relationship with Christ.
The Gospel from Luke complements this theme through the parables of the lost sheep and the lost coin. These stories, told in response to the Pharisees’ criticism of Jesus for dining with sinners, reveal the heart of God as a shepherd who leaves the ninety-nine to find the one lost sheep and a woman who sweeps her house tirelessly to recover a single lost coin. These parables are not just charming tales; they are profound revelations of God’s relentless love for each individual, especially those who feel lost or marginalized. The joy celebrated in heaven over one repentant sinner far exceeds the comfort of those who think they are already righteous.
These readings invite us to reflect on our own lives. Are there areas where we, like Paul, cling to false sources of security or identity? Do we, like the shepherd and the woman, value each person as uniquely precious to God? Let us ask for the grace to let go of what is lesser so that we might gain what is truly lasting. And let us remember that no one is beyond God’s reach. His love is always seeking us, always rejoicing when we return to Him.