Daily Readings - Thu Nov 07 2019
Romans
7For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself.8If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's.9For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.10Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God;11for it is written, "As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God."12So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.
Luke
1Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him.2And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, "This man receives sinners and eats with them."3So he told them this parable:4"What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it?5And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.6And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.'7Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.8"Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it?9And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.'10Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents."
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on God’s boundless love and mercy, as well as our responsibility to live in a way that reflects His will. In the first reading from Romans, St. Paul reminds us that we belong to the Lord in life and in death. He warns against judging or despising others, emphasizing that each of us will stand before God’s judgment seat. This passage calls us to humility and unity, urging us to focus on our own relationship with God rather than criticizing others.
In the Gospel, Jesus shares two parables—the lost sheep and the lost coin—both of which highlight the joy of finding what was lost. These stories reveal God’s relentless love and desire to bring sinners back to Himself. The Pharisees and scribes, who grumbled about Jesus dining with tax collectors and sinners, are reminded that God’s heart rejoices when even one sinner repents. These parables teach us that no one is beyond God’s reach and that every soul is precious in His eyes.
Together, these readings challenge us to embrace a spirit of compassion and humility. Just as the shepherd leaves the ninety-nine to find the one lost sheep, and the woman searches tirelessly for her lost coin, we are called to seek out those who are lost or estranged, whether they are others or even ourselves. In our daily lives, this means avoiding judgment and instead offering love, patience, and understanding. Let us strive to live in a way that reflects God’s mercy, remembering that we all belong to Him and that every moment is an opportunity to draw closer to His heart.