The 99

Sisters and brothers in Christ, in today's Gospel, Jesus tells the parables of the Good Shepherd who goes after the lost sheep and of the woman who would not give up searching until she found her lost coin. We often think that we are in search of God; however, it is God who is constantly seeking us, each and every day of our lives. Who among us have not felt lost at some point throughout the day, wondering to ourselves "what does all this mean?" or "what is the purpose of it all?" or "what am I even doing?" In those moments, know that Christ is seeking us, to hold us close to His Sacred Heart. And if we open our hearts to allow Him to find us, we would feel His love, mercy, and forgiveness.

Therefore, even if we are the 99 who have not gone astray from God's flock, may we never take God's love and presence in our lives for granted. In other words, let us not be like the older son in the parable of the Prodigal Son who took his father's love and presence in his life for granted. Rather, let us be like Saint Paul who, in his Letter to the Philippians, wrote: "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."

It is our Father in heaven, our Creator who gives us purpose in our lives. It  is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who, dying on the Cross, gives meaning to our lives. It is the Holy Spirit who guides us in all that we do in life.

. . .

Gospel of the Day

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.”