Searching and Saving

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.

Family Blessings

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/ 

Anxiety and Answers

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary near the end of the liturgical year challenge us to address the anxiety we may experience with the assurance of the Presence of God as our answer to evil and trouble.

Signs and Hope

The reading from the Book of Revelation describes reaping the Earth’s Harvest.

* [14:14–20] The reaping of the harvest symbolizes the gathering of the elect in the final judgment, while the reaping and treading of the grapes symbolizes the doom of the ungodly (cf. Jl 4:12–13; Is 63:1–6) that will come in Rev 19:11–21.

* [14:18] Altar: there was only one altar in the heavenly temple; see notes above on Rev 6:9; 8:3; 11:1. (Revelation, CHAPTER 14 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 96 praises God, Who Comes in Judgement.

* [Psalm 96] A hymn inviting all humanity to praise the glories of Israel’s God (Ps 96:1–3), who is the sole God (Ps 96:4–6). To the just ruler of all belongs worship (Ps 96:7–10); even inanimate creation is to offer praise (Ps 96:11–13). This Psalm has numerous verbal and thematic contacts with Is 40–55, as does Ps 98. Another version of the Psalm is 1 Chr 16:23–33. (Psalms, PSALM 96 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus foretells the Destruction of the Temple and Signs and Persecutions.

* [21:5–36] Jesus’ eschatological discourse in Luke is inspired by Mk 13 but Luke has made some significant alterations to the words of Jesus found there. Luke maintains, though in a modified form, the belief in the early expectation of the end of the age (see Lk 21:27, 28, 31, 32, 36), but, by focusing attention throughout the gospel on the importance of the day-to-day following of Jesus and by reinterpreting the meaning of some of the signs of the end from Mk 13 he has come to terms with what seemed to the early Christian community to be a delay of the parousia. Mark, for example, described the desecration of the Jerusalem temple by the Romans (Mk 13:14) as the apocalyptic symbol (see Dn 9:27; 12:11) accompanying the end of the age and the coming of the Son of Man. Luke (Lk 21:20–24), however, removes the apocalyptic setting and separates the historical destruction of Jerusalem from the signs of the coming of the Son of Man by a period that he refers to as “the times of the Gentiles” (Lk 21:24). See also notes on Mt 24:1–36 and Mk 13:1–37. (Luke, CHAPTER 21 | USCCB, n.d.)

Joan Blandin Howard asks “Are these days “end times”?”  At times, it may feel that way.  Hope, faith and trust in God are being shaken by fear, greed, hate and discontent. Yet, in the darkness there is the light of compassion.

There is more, much more. Those words can be unsettling, disconcerting, but let’s listen to what Jesus says: “Do not be afraid” “Come follow Me”, “I am the way, the truth and the life” “Come to Me all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest”.  The beautiful encouraging words in the Beatitudes: “Blessed are you – individually and as a community. Those who bring words and gestures of compassion as well as the tangibles of food, shelter and medicine. We are a blessed community – all of us.  All the “we’s” and the “them’s”.  We may speak and hear words of spiteful condemnation. However, Jesus speaks only words loving encouragement to each one of us.  Our God, our Creator and Redeemer of all, has built his tent among us, walks with us and will abide with us always. (Blandin Howard, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “First signs of the end times,” by Maximus of Turin (died between 408-423 AD).

"Perhaps you are anxious, brothers and sisters, at the fact that we hear constantly of the tumult of wars and the onsets of battles. Perhaps your love is still more anxious since these are taking place in our times. The reason is the closer we are to the destruction of the world, the closer we are to the kingdom of the Savior. The Lord himself says, 'In the last days nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom. When you see wars, earthquakes and famines, know that the kingdom of God is at hand.'This nearness of wars shows us that Christ is near." (excerpt from SERMON 85.1) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 21:5-11 comments that such calamities might make us question whether there is anything stable or permanent in this world. And that’s a good question to ask. Because events like these have the potential—paradoxically—to point us toward some very good news. Yes, created things are passing away. Cathedrals, temples, political stability, even simple comforts—none of them will last forever.

So when things around you don’t seem so stable, remember that your horizon extends far beyond this passing earthly realm. When people or possessions that you thought you could trust let you down, know that Jesus is completely trustworthy because he never changes. He holds you in the palm of his hand, and he will never let you go. And when you start to worry about your security, realize that no matter what happens, Jesus has already prepared a place for you in his Father’s house (John 14:2). You belong to him!

“Jesus, I trust in you. When I am distressed by instability, help me to sink my roots deeper into you.” (Meditation on Luke 21:5-11, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that the passage from Revelation presents images of the collection of the good and the evil who will receive God’s fury. The rabbinic slogan that “As the sin so the punishment” underlines receiving the punishment of our choices. Friar Jude reminds us that only the Father knows the timing of the end so we must always be ready.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, teaches on parables of things that are lost and found and introduces author Debie Thomas who reflects on what these “lost and found” parables reveal about God.

If Jesus’s parables are true, then God isn’t in the fold with the ninety-nine insiders. God isn’t curled up on her couch polishing the nine coins she’s already sure of. God is where the lost things are. God is in the wilderness, God is in the remotest corners of the house, God is where the search is at its fiercest. If I want to find God, I have to seek the lost. I have to get lost. I have to leave the safety of the inside and venture out. I have to recognize my own lostness and consent to be found…. 

God looks for us when our lostness is so convoluted and so profound, we can’t even pretend to look for God. But even in such bleak and hopeless places, God finds us. This is amazing grace. And it is ours. [2] (Rohr, n.d.)

We may be concerned and confused by the world that brings us such anxiety and we contemplate the urging of the Spirit to trust in the Way God will providentially address our need for answers.

References

Blandin Howard, J. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. Creighton University's Online Ministries. https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/112624.html 

Luke, CHAPTER 21 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 26, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/21?5 

Meditation on Luke 21:5-11. (n.d.). Word Among Us. https://wau.org/meditations/2024/11/26/1137150/ 

Psalms, PSALM 96 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 26, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/96?10 

Revelation, CHAPTER 14 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 26, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/revelation/14?14 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). To Be Lost and Found. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved November 26, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/to-be-lost-and-found/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Take Heed That You Are Not Led Astray. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved November 26, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=nov26