Well some of us might have inkling of how it feels having lost some one dear to us momentarily or at a length of time. The panic, the anxiety, all the numerous played out scenarios that goes on in our mind. Where do we go? What should we do? How can we find aand lead them home? Whom do we turn to for help? Then when they are found and come back to us safe and sound, joy fills our heart! What euphoria!
Perhaps through this, we can understand a little better as we glimpse into just how much God our Father truly loves us individually and uniquely? While we cannot fully fathom at this time, the joy and rejoicing that goes on in heaven for one who was lost but now is found again; we can relate through our own experience of such elation!
That is why we must rid ourselves of empty pride or any disillusionment that we are self made men and women and turn to our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ with grateful hearts; for in His great love and mercy for us, He has reconciled us to God our Heavenly Father. Through Him alone we have life to the full!
Who am I Lord that You are mindful of me? Thank You for loving me so. Amen
First reading
Philippians 3:3-8 ·
I was faultless according to the Law; but without knowing Christ I was nothing
We are the real people of the circumcision, we who worship in accordance with the Spirit of God; we have our own glory from Christ Jesus without having to rely on a physical operation. If it came to relying on physical evidence, I should be fully qualified myself. Take any man who thinks he can rely on what is physical: I am even better qualified. I was born of the race of Israel and of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew born of Hebrew parents, and I was circumcised when I was eight days old. As for the Law, I was a Pharisee; as for working for religion, I was a persecutor of the Church; as far as the Law can make you perfect, I was faultless. But because of Christ, I have come to consider all these advantages that I had as disadvantages. Not only that, but I believe nothing can happen that will outweigh the supreme advantage of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.
Gospel
Luke 15:1-10
There will be rejoicing in heaven over one repentant sinner
The tax collectors and the sinners were all seeking the company of Jesus to hear what he had to say, and the Pharisees and the scribes complained. ‘This man’ they said ‘welcomes sinners and eats with them.’ So he spoke this parable to them:
‘What man among you with a hundred sheep, losing one, would not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the missing one till he found it? And when he found it, would he not joyfully take it on his shoulders and then, when he got home, call together his friends and neighbours? “Rejoice with me,” he would say “I have found my sheep that was lost.” In the same way, I tell you, there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one repentant sinner than over ninety-nine virtuous men who have no need of repentance.
‘Or again, what woman with ten drachmas would not, if she lost one, light a lamp and sweep out the house and search thoroughly till she found it? And then, when she had found it, call together her friends and neighbours? “Rejoice with me,” she would say “I have found the drachma I lost.” In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing among the angels of God over one repentant sinner.’
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