Daily Catholic Mass Readings for November 7, 2019
First Reading: Romans 14.7-12
7For none of us lives to himself alone and none of us dies to himself alone.8If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.9For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living.10You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God's judgment seat.11It is written: "'As surely as I live,' says the Lord, 'every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.'"12So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.
Psalm 27
1The LORD is my light and my salvation- whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life- of whom shall I be afraid?2When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall.3Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident.4One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.5For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock.6Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD.7Hear my voice when I call, O LORD; be merciful to me and answer me.8My heart says of you, "Seek his face!" Your face, LORD, I will seek.9Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, O God my Savior.10Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me.11Teach me your way, O LORD; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors.12Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, breathing out violence.13I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.14Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.
Gospel: Luke 15.1-10
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
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.