St. Charles Borromeo, bishop 

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊     

Romans 14:7-12

 In fact, none of us lives for himself,

Nor dies for himself. If we live, we live for the Lord, and if we die, we die for the Lord. Either in life or in death, we belong to the Lord; It was for this purpose that Christ both died and come to life again to be Lord both of the living and of the dead.

 Then you, why do you criticize your brother or sister? And you, why do you despise them? For we will all appear at the tribunal of God. It is written: I swear by myself—word of the Lord—every knee will bend before me, and every tongue shall give glory to God. So each of us will account for himself before God.

 

Ps 27:1bcde, 4, 13-14

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

 

＊＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊＊ 

Luke 15:1-10

Meanwhile tax collectors and sinners were seeking the company of Jesus, all of them eager to hear what he had to say.  But the Pharisees and the scribes frowned at this, mut­tering. “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”  So Jesus told them this parable:

“Who among you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, will not leave the nine­ty-nine in the wilderness and seek out the lost one till he finds it?  And finding it, will he not joyfully carry it home on his shoulders?

 Then he will call his friends and neighbors together and say: ‘Celebrate with me for I have found my lost sheep.’   I tell you, just so, there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one repentant sinner than over ninety-nine upright who do not need to repent.

 What woman, if she has ten silver coins and loses one, will not light a lamp and sweep the house in a thorough search till she finds the lost coin?   And finding it, she will call her friends and neighbors and say: ‘Celebrate with me for I have found the silver coin I lost!’  I tell you, in the same way there is rejoicing among the angels of God over one repentant sinner.”

 

Gospel Reflection：

In this gospel we have a clear image of a flock of ninety nine sheep and one sheep who became distracted and wandered off. Jesus explains this to the Pharisees and the Scribes in a way that is relatable.

But even they are left scratching their heads when Jesus acts in a way that seems contrary to the Law of the time. They are baffled as to why Jesus would want to spend his time with a sinner. Why would Jesus spend time with sinners, outcasts and tax collectors? The answer is love.

Jesus loves unconditionally. It is not calculating. Through his actions and words, he showed us how to love by receiving those who are most vulnerable and in need of our support. In doing this we are simply being called to love one another through our own actions, thoughts and words.