Daily Readings - Thu Nov 05 2020
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
The readings today invite us to reflect on the nature of God’s love and mercy, as well as our own relationship with Him. In the first reading from Philippians, St. Paul humbly shares his journey of conversion. Once a proud Pharisee with impeccable credentials, he came to realize that all his earthly accomplishments were worthless compared to the surpassing value of knowing Christ. He describes his former life as “dung” in order to emphasize the radical shift in his priorities after encountering Jesus. This passage reminds us that true worth is not found in external achievements or status but in a deep, personal relationship with God.
In the Gospel, Jesus tells two parables—the lost sheep and the lost coin—to illustrate the boundless joy of God in finding what was lost. These parables were directed at the Pharisees and scribes who criticized Jesus for dining with tax collectors and sinners. Jesus’ message is clear: God’s heart is always oriented toward those who are farthest from Him, and His mercy is not limited to the righteous. The parables also remind us that we are all called to seek the lost and to rejoice when they return to God. This is not just a task for the clergy or the devout; it is the mission of every Christian.
As we apply these readings to our daily lives, let us ask ourselves: What are the “losses” we need to embrace in order to gain Christ more fully? Are there areas of our lives where we cling to pride, status, or material comforts instead of seeking a deeper relationship with God? Let us also remember that we are all called to be instruments of God’s mercy. Like the shepherd and the woman in the parables, we are to seek out those who are lost—whether they are our neighbors, friends, or even our own family members—and bring them closer to the heart of God. In doing so, we not only reflect God’s love but also share in the joy of heaven itself.