Daily Readings - Thu Nov 08 2018
Philippians
3For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh--4though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more:5circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee;6as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless.7But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.8What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ
Luke
1Now the tax collectors and "sinners" were all gathering around to hear him.2But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them."3Then Jesus told them this parable:4"Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?5And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders6and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.'7I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.8"Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Does she not light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it?9And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.'10In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful reflections on what it means to seek and find God. The first reading from Philippians reveals St. Paul’s dramatic conversion of heart. Once a Pharisee who trusted in his own righteousness and achievements, Paul came to realize that all his earthly credentials were worthless compared to the surpassing value of knowing Christ. He describes his former life as “dung” in comparison to the treasure of union with Jesus. This is not a rejection of his Jewish heritage but a recognition that true righteousness comes not from outward observance but from a living relationship with Christ.
The Gospel from Luke complements this theme through the parables of the lost sheep and the lost coin. These stories, told in response to the Pharisees’ criticism of Jesus for dining with sinners, reveal the heart of God as a shepherd who leaves the ninety-nine to find the one lost sheep and a woman who sweeps her house tirelessly to recover a single lost coin. These parables are not just charming tales; they are profound revelations of God’s relentless love for each individual, especially those who feel lost or marginalized. The joy celebrated in heaven over one repentant sinner far exceeds the comfort of those who think they are already righteous.
These readings invite us to reflect on our own lives. Are there areas where we, like Paul, cling to false sources of security or identity? Do we, like the shepherd and the woman, value each person as uniquely precious to God? Let us ask for the grace to let go of what is lesser so that we might gain what is truly lasting. And let us remember that no one is beyond God’s reach. His love is always seeking us, always rejoicing when we return to Him.