Daily Readings - Fri Jun 27 2025
Ezekiel
11For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out.12As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day.13And I will bring them out from the people, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land, and feed them upon the mountains of Israel by the rivers, and in all the inhabited places of the country.14I will feed them in a good pasture, and upon the high mountains of Israel shall their fold be: there shall they lie in a good fold, and in a fat pasture shall they feed upon the mountains of Israel.15I will feed my flock, and I will cause them to lie down, saith the Lord GOD.16I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick: but I will destroy the fat and the strong; I will feed them with judgment.
Romans
5And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.6For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.7For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.8But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.9Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.10For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.11And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.
Luke
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.
Sermon
The readings today offer a powerful reflection on God’s boundless love and mercy. In the first reading from Ezekiel, we hear the Lord describe Himself as a shepherd who seeks out His scattered and lost sheep. This passage emphasizes God’s active care for His people, promising to rescue them from darkness and lead them to fertile pastures. It’s a vision of a God who does not abandon His flock but instead goes out to heal the broken, strengthen the weak, and bring back those who have wandered away. This imagery reminds us that God’s love is not passive; it is dynamic, seeking, and saving.
The second reading from Romans deepens this theme by highlighting the extraordinary nature of God’s love. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us, demonstrating the depth of God’s love. This passage challenges us to consider the radical nature of divine love—a love that gives itself even for those who do not deserve it. It reminds us that our reconciliation with God is not based on our worthiness but on His gratuitous love. The reading also invites us to glory in God, not because of our own merits, but because of the gift of salvation we have received through Christ.
In the Gospel, Luke shares the parable of the shepherd who leaves the ninety-nine to find the one lost sheep. This story underscores the joy of God when even one sinner repents. It teaches us that every soul is precious to God, and His love is not limited to the righteous or the perfect. The shepherd’s joy is contagious, and it calls us to share in that joy by embracing God’s mercy and extending it to others. Together, these readings remind us that we are all sheep who have wandered at times, but God’s love is always seeking us, always finding us, and always rejoicing over our return.
As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: How do we respond to God’s seeking love? Do we allow ourselves to be found, or do we resist His grace? Let us also consider how we can imitate this divine love in our own lives. Are we willing to go out of our way to care for others, especially those who feel lost or forgotten? May we find joy in the mercy of God and may we, in turn, be instruments of that mercy for others.