Daily Readings - Thu Nov 04 2021
Romans
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.
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 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.