Gospel Thought for Today
4th November: Memorial of Saint Charles Borromeo, Bishop
Gospel: 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.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Reflection:
‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’
One of the well-loved depictions of Jesus is that of the Good Shepherd. Although today’s Gospel did not explicitly identify our Lord as the shepherd, we could easily imagine Him searching for that lost sheep and, when he found it, invited his friends to rejoice with him. Jesus continues to care for the flock through His priests. St Charles Borromeo, a cardinal-archbishop of Milan and a leading reformer of the Church during his time, once wrote, “How utterly divine it is to cooperate with God in the salvation of souls. This will entirely bring it about, that good priests will run and not feel burdened, walk and not fall faint, bring to birth and barely feel the torments.” Let us keep all priests in our prayers that they will remain zealous for souls.
- How would you welcome an estranged member back into the fold?
- In what ways can you help search for the lost sheep in our community?
- How do you practice your role as a shepherd in your family, work, or community?
Lord Jesus, thank You for Your Word today. Through the example and prayers of St Charles Borromeo, grant wisdom to Your Church, especially to Your priests, the wisdom to reach out and touch the hearts of those who are lost. Amen.
