November 5, 2009, Thursday

Read: Rom. 14: 7-12 Lk. 15: 1-10

Opening Prayer
 

“In 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.” (Lk. 15:7)

God’s love for us can be com­pared to an ideal mother’s love for her children. “As a mother comforts her son, so will I comfort you.” (Is. 66:13)

A mother’s love is unsurpassed by any other human love in its capacity for self-sacrifice. Motherhood's selflessness can be truly heroic.

God made us in His image and in His likeness. He treats us in a manner which we can un­derstand; and He understands us, and our weaknesses well. It is for this reason that there is great “...joy in heaven over one sinner who repents...”

In today’s Gospel, Jesus pro­vides a parable about a sheep that had strayed from the flock, just as rebellious humans stray from the love of God. The shepherd sought after the lost sheep, and rejoiced when he found it. And heaven rejoices when a sinner returns to God.

Only God’s divine goodness and compassion can explain the way He acts toward us, His rebellious children -- His lost sheep.

“Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but the sick do. I have not come to call the righteous to repen­tance but sinners.” (Lk 5:31)

God loves even the most hor­rible of sinners. Through His love, Jesus died on the Cross in expiation for our sins. We who were lost, have now been found! God now calls on us to reach out , in imitation of His love, to the lost and needy.

Reflection and commentary

Psalm 17:7 “Show your won­derful love, you who deliver with your right arm those who seek refuge from their foes.”

Our Prayer Continues