THURSDAY OF THE THIRTY-FIRST WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME, NOVEMBER 6, 2025

MASS READINGS:

Gospel

Luke 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."

Reflection

“Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.”

St Paul reminds us that we belong to God, that we don’t live for ourselves. God has given us loved ones to care for, to nourish and keep them safe. And it is our duty to seek them out and find them if they should wander from Him. For nothing is worth it if one soul is lost because we did not seek them nor try to help them.

Every single one of us has true value, without the need of degrees, prestige, money, great personality or good looks. All of us are made in the image of God, receiving His blessings, redeemed by His Blood, death and Resurrection. Through the Cross we have been found by Christ, transformed by holiness and self righteousness into His image.

The words, choices, and actions of others may impact my life, for better or worse. However, I cannot cherry pick those whom to show kindness, understanding and a warm smile.

God made us and sees our true value, and all of us are important to Him because we are His and He loves us. Every sinner who returns to God should cause us to have great joy!

“I believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living.”

(Psalm 27).

God Bless You