Daily Catholic Lectio. Thu, 7 November ’24. Lost and found – Loss and gain

Daily Catholic Lectio

Thu, 7 November 2024

XXXI Week in Ordinary Time, Thursday

Philippians 3:3-8. Psalm 105:2-3, 4-5, 6-7. Luke 15:1-10

Lost and found – Loss and gain

Moments of feeling lost, hidden, or invisible can bring despair, sorrow, grief—and yet also growth. St. Paul’s journey illustrates this beautifully: he lost everything of himself but found Christ, and to truly possess Christ, he was willing to let go of everything else. It’s not enough to hold on to the “99”; we are called to search for that one lost “1.” That “one” might be Christ or even our truest selves. In seeking, we lose ourselves—and in losing, we find ourselves.

First Reading Reflection [Phil 3:3-8]

a. True worship beyond rituals: Paul emphasizes that true worship is grounded in the Spirit, not in external rituals or achievements, urging us to seek a sincere relationship with Christ.

b. Letting go of worldly gains and titles: Paul considers his past accomplishments ‘loss’ compared to knowing Christ, challenging us to re-evaluate what we hold valuable and pursue what draws us closer to God.

c. The supreme worth of knowing Christ: Knowing Christ surpasses all else; Paul’s example invites us to find our ultimate joy and purpose in a deep, personal relationship with Jesus.

Responsorial Psalm Reflection [Ps 105:2-3, 4-5, 6-7]

a. Praise and proclaim God’s wonders: We are encouraged to sing and speak of God’s marvellous works, allowing gratitude and praise to be central in our lives.

b. Seek the Lord’s strength and presence: The psalmist calls us to continually seek God’s guidance and strength, reminding us that God is our constant help in all circumstances.

c. Remember God’s faithfulness: Reflecting on God’s mighty deeds helps us recognize His faithfulness through history, strengthening our trust in His promises today.

Gospel Reading Reflection [Luke 15:1-10]

a. God’s unfailing love for the lost: Jesus reveals God’s heart for those who have strayed, showing that each person is precious and worthy of being sought after and saved.

b. The joy of repentance and return: Like the shepherd and the woman rejoicing over finding what was lost, heaven celebrates each person who returns to God, reminding us of the immense value of repentance. In fact, God rejoices when we find the purpose of our lives.

c. Our call to share God’s compassion: Jesus challenges us to reflect God’s compassion by reaching out to those who may feel distant from Him, embracing them with patience and understanding.

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The ‘pilgrims of hope’ are constantly in search of that ‘one’ which is lost (Jubilee 2025 AD, bite 242).

Yesu Karunanidhi (@ Sower)

Archdiocese of Madurai

Missionary of Mercy