Reading 1
Phil 3:3-8a
Brothers and sisters:
We are the circumcision,
we who worship through the Spirit of God,
who boast in Christ Jesus and do not put our confidence in flesh,
although I myself have grounds for confidence even in the flesh.
If anyone else thinks he can be confident in flesh, all the more can I.
Circumcised on the eighth day,
of the race of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin,
a Hebrew of Hebrew parentage,
in observance of the law a Pharisee,
in zeal I persecuted the Church,
in righteousness based on the law I was blameless.
But whatever gains I had,
these I have come to consider a loss because of Christ.
More than that, I even consider everything as a loss
because of the supreme good of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.
Ps 105:2-3, 4-5, 6-7
Responsorial PsalmR. (3b)
Let hearts rejoice who search for the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Sing to him, sing his praise,
proclaim all his wondrous deeds.
Glory in his holy name;
rejoice, O hearts that seek the LORD!
R. Let hearts rejoice who search for the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Look to the LORD in his strength;
seek to serve him constantly.
Recall the wondrous deeds that he has wrought,
his portents, and the judgments he has uttered.
R. Let hearts rejoice who search for the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
You descendants of Abraham, his servants,
sons of Jacob, his chosen ones!
He, the LORD, is our God;
throughout the earth his judgments prevail.
R. Let hearts rejoice who search for the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Gospel
Lk 15:1-10
The tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus,
but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying,
“This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
So Jesus addressed this parable to them.
“What man among you having a hundred sheep and losing one of them
would not leave the ninety-nine in the desert
and go after the lost one until he finds it?
And when he does find it,
he sets it on his shoulders with great joy
and, upon his arrival home,
he calls together his friends and neighbors and says to them,
‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’
I tell you, in just the same way
there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents
than over ninety-nine righteous people
who have no need of repentance.
“Or what woman having ten coins and losing one
would not light a lamp and sweep the house,
searching carefully until she finds it?
And when she does find it,
she calls together her friends and neighbors
and says to them,
‘Rejoice with me because I have found the coin that I lost.’
In just the same way, I tell you,
there will be rejoicing among the angels of God
over one sinner who repents.”
Meditation: Luke 15:1-10
“Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.” (Luke 15:6)
Have you ever lost something really valuable and had to look all over before you found it? Do you remember the sense of relief and happiness you felt when you had retrieved it?
That’s the kind of urgency that filled the shepherd as he searched without rest for his lost sheep. Then, when he finally found it, he picked it up in excitement and triumph. Not only that, he even called everyone to celebrate with him.
Or think of the woman who lost her coin—a key to her livelihood. Not waiting for daybreak, she lit a lamp and searched her entire home until she found it. And like the shepherd, she threw a party with her friends to rejoice over her success.
Jesus told these two parables to show how relentlessly the Father pursues us and how deeply he rejoices when he finds us. Even the angels in heaven rejoice!
Imagine: You are immeasurably precious to the Father. He formed you down to the finest detail. When you were born, the angels shouted for joy, and from that moment forward, your heavenly Father has been reaching out to you. From your very first day, he has been speaking to your heart, inviting you to turn to him in faith. He has carried you through every trial and placed his servants in your path to help guide you. Even as you read these words, God is reaching out to you. Faithful to the end, he will never leave you. And all he wants is for you to experience more and more of his love for you.
So as you wake up every morning, be confident that your Father is with you, leading you, and pouring his grace upon you. His love never wavers, and his mercy is inexhaustible. Let your heart be at peace today. Let your soul rest in the assurance of his presence and mercy.
“Father, with all the saints and angels in heaven, I rejoice in your faithfulness. I am amazed that you never let go of me. I praise you for all the times you have guided me, loved me, and called me into your heart.”
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