GOSPEL OF THE DAY

From the Gospel according to Luke

LK 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 word of the Lord

A Thread

How ugly is to gossip, and how beautiful is the joy over those who turn back to God. How wonderful it is to look at the sinner with the hope of finding even a small thread, which, if gently pulled, might lead them to conversion. Indeed, there is no act of love more beautiful between us than the acts of repentance and asking for forgiveness. These are truly beautiful acts of love that bring immense joy to the entire Church.

Applied to Married Life

Jack: While I was praying, feeling deeply sorry for what I said to you yesterday, I asked the Lord, “What can I do to relief the pain I caused my wife?” And the Lord said to me, “Your wife loves you, which means the greatest joy you can give her is to show her your repentance and ask for her forgiveness.”

Monica: How well the Lord knows me! First, because He knows how much I love you, and second, because He knows that there is no greater joy for me than seeing you return to Him and return to me.

Jack: Forgive me, my wife, for not treating you with the dignity and gentleness you deserve as a daughter of God and my wife.

Mónica: I forgive you, my husband, and I restore in my heart the dignity that is yours as my husband and as a son of God.

Mother,

Blessed be Jesus Christ, who came to rescue us to make us His own. Praised be He. Amen