The Lord rejoices in welcoming the sinner who has converted, and the converted rejoices in meeting Christ, allowing himself to be embraced by his infinite mercy.

 

The Lord rejoices in welcoming the sinner who has converted, and the converted rejoices in meeting Christ, allowing himself to be embraced by his infinite mercy. Let us celebrate the joy of forgiveness and salvation offered to us by the death and resurrection of the Lord, which we celebrate at every Eucharist.

First Reading: Philippians 3:3-8

A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Philippians – Brothers and sisters: 3We are the true circumcised, who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh. 4For I could also put my confidence in the flesh. For if anyone else thinks he has confidence in the flesh, I have more confidence. 5I was circumcised on the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrew descent. As to the law I was a Pharisee, 6through zeal I persecuted the church of God; as to the righteousness that comes from the law, always blameless. 7But whatever gains I had, I have considered loss for the sake of Christ. 8Indeed, I consider everything a loss compared with the surpassing gain of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. – The Word of the Lord.

Responsorial Psalm: 104(105)

Let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice!

1. Sing and sing to him, / tell of all his wonderful deeds! / Glory in his holy name; / let the hearts of those who seek him rejoice! – R.

2. Seek the Lord God and his strength, / seek his face continually! / Remember his wonders, / his wonders and the words of his mouth! – R.

3. O descendants of Abraham, his servant, / and children of Jacob, his chosen one, / the Lord is our God, / his laws are in all the earth. – R.

Gospel: Luke 15:1-10

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Come to me, all you who are weary, and I will give you rest, says the Lord (Mt 11:28). – R.

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke – At that time, 1the tax collectors and sinners were drawing near to Jesus to listen to him. 2But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law were criticizing him, saying, “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. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the lost one until he finds it? 5When he finds it, he lays it on his shoulders with joy. 6And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors and says, ‘Rejoice with me! I have found my lost sheep!’ 7I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. 8What if a woman has ten silver coins and loses one of them, does she not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? 9When she finds it, she calls together her friends and neighbors and says, ‘Rejoice with me! I have found the coin I had lost!’ 10Therefore, I tell you, there will be joy among the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” – Word of salvation.

Reflection:

Two opposite attitudes. The sinners and the tax collectors “drew near to hear Jesus.” These were despised by the Pharisees and teachers of the Law, who criticized Jesus. The two parables reveal and support God’s way of acting. The shepherd searches with all his might for the lost sheep. The housewife carefully searches every room, anxious to find the missing coin. The rescue of the sheep and the recovery of the coin are reasons for great joy, shared with “friends and neighbors.” It is a true celebration. We also learn from the Master: It is the sick who need doctors, not the healthy. Those who consider themselves righteous do not enter the Kingdom of God, because they reject Jesus. Sinners, on the other hand, come to hear Jesus, are converted, and participate in the feast of the Kingdom.