The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today resonate with our experience of our journey in which our need for connection is met by the Good Shepherd.
The reading from the Letter of Paul to the Philippians shares an autobiography and righteousness in gaining Christ.
* [3:2–11] Paul sets forth the Christian claim, especially using personal, autobiographical terms that are appropriate to the situation. He presents his own experience in coming to know Christ Jesus in terms of righteousness or justification (cf. Rom 1:16–17; 3:21–5:11; Gal 2:5–11), contrasting the righteousness from God through faith and that of one’s own based on the law as two exclusive ways of pleasing God. (Philippians, CHAPTER 3, n.d.)
Psalm 105 praises God’s Faithfulness to Israel.
* [Psalm 105] A hymn to God who promised the land of Canaan to the holy people, cf. Ps 78; 106; 136. Israel is invited to praise and seek the presence of God (Ps 105:1–6), who is faithful to the promise of land to the ancestors (Ps 105:7–11). In every phase of the national story—the ancestors in the land of Canaan (Ps 105:12–15), Joseph in Egypt (Ps 105:16–22), Israel in Egypt (Ps 105:23–38), Israel in the desert on the way to Canaan (Ps 105:39–45)—God remained faithful, reiterating the promise of the land to successive servants. (Psalms, PSALM 105, n.d.)
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus teaches 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, n.d.)
Suzanne Braddock comments on how Jesus pursues us, and won’t let us stray. We could run farther and faster but Jesus would always find us. His love and concern seem to be his search beacon finding even the most well-hidden of us. There are so many ways for us to hide – anger at past abuse, disagreement about how the church is managed, feeling community is not necessary.
I am immensely comforted knowing that Jesus is looking for us even more than we are searching for him. That really we are never truly alone, but always are in his searchlight.
No matter how far we stray, there is always our loving Lord looking for us. And when we are found, there is rejoicing in heaven. And I am sure, in our hearts as well. (Braddock, 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 God won’t ever stop pursuing us. He wants all of his children to enjoy his love and to experience the healing and freedom that he offers. This is true for us, and it’s true for our families, our friends, our neighbors, and our coworkers. It’s even true for the person you’d least expect to turn to him!
Today, let’s rest in the confidence of a God who loves us more than we can fathom. He will go after the one lost sheep when ninety-nine are safe, and he rejoices with all the saints and angels in heaven when he finds him (Luke 15:7). If he has done this for so many before us, surely he will continue to do it until the end of time.
“Lord, bring home all those who are lost and confused, especially the people I am praying for right now.” (Meditation on Luke 15:1-10, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler discusses how the Philippians community was bothered by Jewish Christian missionaries on the need for Jewish rituals like circumcision. Jesus eats with sinners and disregards the fear of contagion of sin taught by the Pharisees. Friar Jude reminds us that God reaches out to people who need to be healed of their brokenness.
Barbara Holmes, on The Cosmic We podcast, with Donny Bryant interviewed minister and scholar Dr. Walter Fluker, who shares a transformational experience he had during an ancestral grief ritual.
I had performed a eulogy but never mourned him. I was too busy being me. I said, “Daddy, we miss you. Mama misses you, B. misses you.” I just went through the whole family. When I came to myself, all of the women had taken me to a corner in the room and they were rocking me. This Japanese woman whispers in my ears. She says, “You’re only five years old.” I didn’t know what that meant then. It was years later [that] I discovered, when daddy left Mississippi in a hurry, he sent for us, thanks be to God. I was five years old. I was still grieving my daddy’s departure.
That was one of the most healing moments in my life. He was more real than even in life real. So, I have no doubt that ancestors not only exist, but they are present for us. They come to us in moments of great need and trial, and they also celebrate life’s moments with us. They want to celebrate with us. . . . (Holmes, n.d.)
We pray that the Spirit will open our understanding of the Presence of God that seeks to carry us to full participation in a loving community.
References
Braddock, S. (n.d.). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved November 3, 2022, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/110322.html
Holmes, B. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved November 3, 2022, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/experiencing-ancestors-through-grief-rituals-2022-11-03/
Luke, CHAPTER 15. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved November 3, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/15?1
Meditation on Luke 15:1-10. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved November 3, 2022, from https://wau.org/meditations/2022/11/03/525798/
Philippians, CHAPTER 3. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved November 3, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/philippians/3?3
Psalms, PSALM 105. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved November 3, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/105?2
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved November 3, 2022, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2022&date=nov3
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