The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to search for the things in life that complement our necessary need for completeness as children of God.
In the Reading from the Letter to the Romans, Paul exhorts us to Live and Die for Christ.
* [14:8] The Lord: Jesus, our Master. The same Greek word, kyrios, was applied to both rulers and holders of slaves. Throughout the Letter to the Romans Paul emphasizes God’s total claim on the believer; see note on Rom 1:1. (Romans, CHAPTER 14 | USCCB, n.d.)
Psalm 27 declares “I believe” (Ps 27:13), echoing “I trust”
* [Psalm 27] Tradition has handed down the two sections of the Psalm (Ps 27:1–6; 7–14) as one Psalm, though each part could be understood as complete in itself. Asserting boundless hope that God will bring rescue (Ps 27:1–3), the psalmist longs for the presence of God in the Temple, protection from all enemies (Ps 27:4–6). In part B there is a clear shift in tone (Ps 27:7–12); the climax of the poem comes with “I believe” (Ps 27:13), echoing “I trust” (Ps 27:3). (Psalms, PSALM 27 | USCCB, n.d.)
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus teaches using the Parable of the Lost Sheep and the Lost Coin.
* [15:1–32] To the parable of the lost sheep (Lk 15:1–7) that Luke shares with Matthew (Mt 18:12–14), Luke adds two parables (the lost coin, Lk 15:8–10; the prodigal son, Lk 15:11–32) from his own special tradition to illustrate Jesus’ particular concern for the lost and God’s love for the repentant sinner. (Luke, CHAPTER 15 | USCCB, n.d.)
Rev. Andy Alexander, SJ, comments that Jesus stories in Luke have four things in common. Something/someone precious is lost. An intense search begins. The lost is found. A celebration breaks out.
This marvelous story is a gift for you and me today. Our hearts are warmed to see Jesus as the defender of the sinner. We’re touched to hear how precious we are, and how much Jesus longs to offer us a joyous return. And, it just might help us to be aware of any tendency we might have to judge others or to resent how merciful Jesus is. Finally, a fresh reading of this story might lead us to speak with our Lord, with gratitude, tenderness, and joy. (Axexander, n.d.)
Don Schwager quotes “Joy over the fallen sinner restored in God's image,” by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD).
"This second parable compares what was lost to a drachma (Luke 15:8-9). It is as one out of ten, a perfect number and of a sum complete in the accounting. The number ten also is perfect, being the close of the series from the unit upwards. This parable clearly shows that we are in the royal likeness and image, even that of God over all. I suppose the drachma is the denarius on which is stamped the royal likeness. We, who had fallen and had been lost, have been found by Christ and transformed by holiness and righteousness into his image... A search was made for that which had fallen, so the woman lighted a lamp... By the light, what was lost is saved, and there is joy for the powers above. They rejoice even in one sinner that repents, as he who knows all things has taught us. They keep a festival over one who is saved, united with the divine purpose, and never cease to praise the Savior's gentleness. What great joy must fill them when all beneath heaven is saved and Christ calls them by faith to acknowledge the truth? They put off the pollution of sin and freed their necks from the bonds of death. They have escaped from the blame of their wandering and fall! We gain all these things in Christ."(excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 106) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 15:1-10 comments that to our God, there is no more or less value between people we might call “sinners” and those we might call “saints.” God loves each of us, not because of our good deeds, but out of his own goodness.
You were created to behold God and to be united with him in joy! This is the only thing that can truly fulfill you, and it’s also what makes repentance so worthwhile. So turn and “gaze on the loveliness of the Lord” today (Psalm 27:4). Listen to him tell you your value.
“Thank you, Lord, for the joy of belonging to your family!” (Meditation on Luke 15:1-10, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments that, in Romans 14, Paul declares we live for the Lord and life and death can not divide us from the Lord, We are brothers and sisters. We should not judge. We may counter self destruction. God decides on good or evil, not us. Jesus speaks of compassion to sinners, the lost sheep, one of a hundred, followed by a woman's story, a common structure in Luke. Losing coins in the style of housing of dirt and straw floors was likely. God does not want the condemnation of sinners. God wants the return of sinners. God loves us as beloved sinners. Friar Jude reminds us that when we sin we are poisoning ourselves and that is not what God wants.
Fr. Mike Schmitz points out how easy it is to take good things and make idols out of them, setting them up as God's rivals for our hearts. We can discover these rivals by noticing the things we prioritize over spending time with God. The readings are 2 Maccabees 13, Wisdom 15-16, and Proverbs 25:15-17.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Theologian Megan McKenna who focuses on the way Luke’s Gospel presents Jesus and the Beatitudes, known as the “blessings and woes.”
In Luke [6:17–35], Jesus … comes down with [the disciples] to a level place that is crowded with hordes of people from all parts of the region and beyond to the coastal cities: believers, unbelievers, outsiders, and probably many not welcome in religious society.
Before he teaches, he heals; or perhaps as he heals, he teaches. Those who have come to him are ill, diseased, troubled by evil spirits, despised by society. They are desperate, seeking to touch him…. The scene is one of motion, reaching, grabbing, and we are told simply that “the power which went out from him healed them all.” This power, his spirit and presence, is healing, comforting, soothing, calming, promising. But the most startling line of all is the last one: “Then lifting up his eyes to his disciples, Jesus said….”
He lifts up his eyes: he is positioned below them, probably kneeling on the ground, tending to those in pain and suffering, attentive to the needs of those reaching for him…. He is in a position of vulnerability, of solidarity with the masses of people in need. From this position he speaks the beatitudes: the blessings and the woes…. In Luke’s Gospel Jesus is more comfort-giver than teacher; more attentive than discursive; more tender than instructive; more embracing of the pain of others than distant as law-giver. (Rohr, n.d.)
We are searchers and we seek the Wisdom of the Spirit to continue to search for full life in a Way of love, mercy, care, and compassion even as we contend with counter narratives that use the valuation of the world to guide our activity.
References
Axexander, A. (n.d.). Daily Reflection. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved November 6, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-november-6-2025
Luke, CHAPTER 15 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 6, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/15?1
Meditation on Luke 15:1-10. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved November 6, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/11/06/1422913/
Psalms, PSALM 27 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 6, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/27?1
Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. CAC.org. Retrieved November 6, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/the-healer-teaches/
Romans, CHAPTER 14 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 6, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/romans/14?7
Schwager, D. (n.d.). https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved November 6, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/
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