Daily Readings - Thu Nov 04 2021
Romans
7For none of us lives for himself, and none of us dies for himself8For if we live, we live for the Lord, and if we die, we die for the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord9For Christ died and rose again for this purpose: that he might be the ruler of both the dead and the living10So then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you despise your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ11For it is written: "As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bend to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.12And so, each one of us shall offer an explanation of himself to God
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 profound teachings from St. Paul and Jesus that guide us in understanding our relationship with God and our fellow human beings. The first reading from Romans reminds us that our lives are not our own; we belong to the Lord, whether in life or death. Paul urges us not to judge one another, as we will all stand before God's judgment seat. This teaching emphasizes accountability to God rather than to human standards, highlighting the importance of focusing on our own walk with God without condemning others.
The Gospel from Luke presents Jesus' parables of the lost sheep and the lost coin, illustrating God's immense joy in the repentance of sinners. These parables, told in response to criticism from the Pharisees, showcase God's active seeking of the lost and His rejoicing when they return. Together, the readings from Romans and Luke offer a balanced perspective: while we are responsible to God, His mercy and love are evident in His pursuit of those who have strayed.
In our daily lives, these teachings encourage us to embrace humility and mercy. We should avoid judging others and instead focus on our own relationship with God, trusting in His mercy. Just as the shepherd and the woman in the parables actively seek the lost, we too are called to reach out to others, reflecting God's love and desire for reconciliation. The moral lesson here is clear: live with humility, seek the lost with compassion, and trust in God's mercy, knowing that each return to Him brings great joy.