This week’s Gospel message for Sunday, September 11 th is from Luke 15:1–32.
“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 to them he addressed this parable. ‘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? . . . 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.’” “Leaving ninety–nine sheep in the desert while trying to find one other is extremely reckless. At best, a shepherd would lead the ninety–nine back home and search for the lost one only once the others were secured. But Jesus is not your typical shepherd. His concern is with the one who is lost, with the one who needs him. And if he comes back with the lost one and finds only ninety–eight, you can bet that he will leave the herd again to search for the one who wandered away. And so on until no more are lost.” SOURCE: Pastoral Patterns, Autumn 2022
DAILY READINGS FOR THE WEEK
Monday 1 Corinthians 11:17–26, 33; Luke 7:1–10
Tuesday 1 Corinthians 12:12–14, 27–31a; Luke 7:11–17
Saint John Chrysostom, Bishop and Doctor of the Church (Feast) – “As
archbishop of Constantinople, he began a program of reform. He was
uncompromising in political and ecclesiastical affairs. His enemies
contrived to have him exiled, despite the efforts of the Holy See.”
Wednesday Numbers 21:4b–9; Philippians 2:6–11; John 3:13–17
The Exaltation of the Holy Cross (Feast) – “This feast commemorates
the finding of the true cross by Emperor Constantine’s mother, Helen, the
dedication of the original Church of the Holy Sepulchre in 335, and
Christ’s victory over death by his crucifixion and resurrection.”
Thursday 1 Corinthians 15:1–11; John 19:25–27
Our Lady of Sorrows (Memorial) – “This memorial was started in 1668
by the Servite Friars. In 1814, Pope Pius VII extended the celebration to
the whole Western Church. The seven sorrows are: Simeon’s prophecy at
the presentation of Jesus in the temple, the flight into Egypt, the
disappearance of the boy Jesus in Jerusalem, the road to Calvary, the
crucifixion, the removal from the cross, and the entombment.”
Friday 1 Corinthians 15:12–20; Luke 8:1–3
Saints Cornelius, Pope, and Cyprian, Bishop, Martyrs (Memorial) –
“Cornelius was elected pope during the Decian persecution. Under
renewed persecution, Cornelius was arrested, banished, and died in exile.
A few years later, under the Valerian persecution, Cyprian was also
arrested, banished, and condemned to death.”
Saturday 1 Corinthians 15:35–37, 42–49; Luke 8:4–15
SOURCE: Living With Christ, September 2022