Greetings on this the Thursday of the Thirty-first Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: PHIL 3:3-8A; PS 105:2-3, 4-5, 6-7; LK 15:1-10
Notes: Let hearts rejoice who search for the Lord.
We have just completed celebration of the Solemnity of All Saints and the Commemoration of All Souls!
We pray with the Church Triumphant and we pray for the Church Militant and Church Suffering.
These are reflex responses to the will of God and His actions of gathering a people to himself.
In all this the Lord Rejoices!
In today’s gospel portion we are reminded to Rejoice together with the Lord!
- Rejoice with the Angels!
- Rejoice with the Heavenly Hosts!
- Rejoice with the Lord!
- Rejoice, o hearts, that seek the Lord!
And again, rejoice!
- Rejoice for yourself finding the Lord!
- Rejoice others have found the Lord!
- Rejoice still more who seek the Face of God!
Rejoice for any sinner who repents!
CCC 1431 Interior repentance is a radical reorientation of our whole life, a return, a conversion to God with all our heart, an end of sin, a turning away from evil, with repugnance toward the evil actions we have committed. At the same time it entails the desire and resolution to change one’s life, with hope in God’s mercy and trust in the help of his grace. This conversion of heart is accompanied by a salutary pain and sadness which the Fathers called animi cruciatus (affliction of spirit) and compunctio cordis (repentance of heart).
- animi cruciatus (affliction of spirit)
- compunctio cordis (repentance of heart)
Joy for all!
First reading
Brothers and sisters: We are the circumcision, we who worship through the Spirit of God, who boast in Christ Jesus and do not put our confidence in flesh.
That is, to reliance on the mercy and compassion of God.
Responsorial Psalm
Let hearts rejoice who search for the Lord.
Sing to him, sing his praise, proclaim all his wondrous deeds. Glory in his holy name; rejoice, O hearts that seek the LORD!
Alleluia Verse
Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest, says the Lord.
Rest from sin. It wears you out, it steals your energy, and it impoverishes you.
Gospel Portion
The Lord is always seeking us who are lost to help us reconcile to Him and one another!
‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’
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.
‘Rejoice with me because I have found the coin that I lost.’
In just the same way, I tell you, there will be rejoicing among the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest, says the Lord.
Rest from sin. It wears you out, it steals your energy, and it impoverishes you
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry
Deacon Gerry Palermo 