Daily Readings - Thu Nov 04 2021
Romans
7For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.8For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.9For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.10But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.11For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.12So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
Luke
1Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.2And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.3And he spake this parable unto them, saying,4What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?5And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.6And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.7I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.8Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it?9And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost.10Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.
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.