November 3rd 2016

PHILIPPIANS 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. 

PSALM 105

R. 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. 
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. 
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.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Alleluia, alleluia.
Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened,
and I will give you rest, says the Lord. Mt 11:28
Alleluia, alleluia.

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.

MEDITATION

Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep. (Luke 15:6)

We’ve all experienced losing something. Sometimes a quick prayer to St. Anthony is all it takes to lay our hands on a misplaced book or a set of keys. And when we find it, we are naturally both happy and relieved.

But what about losing touch with a friend or relative? Perhaps the estrangement was sudden, the result of something hurtful we did or experienced. Perhaps it was inadvertent—we both got busy and lost track of each other. In either case, we can’t help wondering, “Could I have prevented this? Can I fix it?” Maybe we don’t have anything in common anymore. Has she passed away, and I didn’t hear about it? We may even make a few attempts to do an Internet search. But over time, we realize that this lost relationship probably won’t be found, and so we give up.

This is not how Jesus acts. He never tires of searching for us.Whether someone has been gone for years or only a few minutes, Jesus keeps on looking and never gives up. And when he does find that person, he is thrilled to reconnect with them again. There is no recrimination, no mistrust or hesitancy. There is only an outpouring of joy and love.

Think about the joy you feel when you are reunited with a long-lost friend. After the first awkward moments, you may pick up right where you left off, swapping stories and filling in the details of the intervening years. You may need to share words of explanation or forgiveness, but your relationship is stronger than ever. Both of you will probably wonder why it took so long. 

Isn’t that the way it is with Jesus? It may feel awkward at first, especially if our reunion takes place in the confessional. But whether our reunion is big or small—whether the distance between us was over leaving the Church or a nagging sin—it doesn’t matter to him. He’s just glad to have you back! He has searched high and low, and now he has found you. He has forgiven you for wandering, and all he wants is to renew your friendship once more. So come to him every day, and let him rejoice over you. 

“Jesus, thank you for patiently, persistently searching for me. Thank you for bringing me back to you.”

Word Among Us.