Year B - Thursday of the Thirty-First Week in Ordinary Time

In Catholic Lectionary Today's readings:

• 📖 First reading: Philippians 3:3-8a
• 📖 Gospel: Luke 15:1-10 🐑💰

💖 In the first reading, St. Paul reflects on how he once placed his identity and confidence in his heritage and accomplishments. Yet now, he considers all these as nothing compared to “the supreme good of knowing Christ Jesus.” Paul’s words encourage us to examine our own lives, asking ourselves where we place our confidence and what we prioritize. He reminds us that nothing compares to the joy and fulfillment of a life focused on Christ. ✨

🌿 In the Gospel, Jesus shares the parables of the lost sheep and the lost coin to reveal God’s boundless love and mercy. When criticized for welcoming sinners, Jesus explains that there is greater joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over those who feel no need for conversion. These parables beautifully illustrate God’s persistence in seeking each of us, showing that every soul is precious and worth celebrating. 🕊️

Today’s readings remind us of the supreme value of our relationship with Christ and the depths of God’s mercy. Like the shepherd seeking his lost sheep, God’s pursuit of us is unwavering, and His joy upon our return is immense. 🙏💫

#KnowingChrist #GodsMercy #JoyInRepentance #LostAndFound #BoundlessLove

Year B - Wednesday of the Thirty-First Week in Ordinary Time

In Catholic Lectionary Today's readings:

• 📖 First reading: Philippians 2:12-18
• 📖 Gospel: Luke 14:25-33 ✝️

🌟 Today’s readings emphasize the commitment and sacrifice involved in true discipleship. St. Paul, in his letter to the Philippians, encourages the faithful to "work out [their] salvation with fear and trembling," recognizing that God is at work within them. He urges them to live without complaint, shining as lights in a world often distant from God’s ways. Paul’s words invite believers to live joyfully, knowing that even their sacrifices are meaningful acts of faith. 💖

💫 In the Gospel, Jesus offers a powerful lesson on the cost of discipleship, calling His followers to put God above all earthly attachments—even family. His message isn’t one of abandoning loved ones but rather a call to prioritize faith and obedience to God, allowing no attachment to hold us back. Jesus urges the crowd to consider the demands of discipleship, which include carrying their own cross and willingly renouncing all possessions. 🌿

Together, these readings remind us to examine our commitment to Christ. Are we prepared to remove anything that stands between us and God? Discipleship involves sacrifice, but as St. Paul assures us, it is also a source of deep joy as we let God’s light shine through us. ✨🙏

#CostOfDiscipleship #ShiningLight #FaithAndSacrifice #JoyInChrist #GodsWorkInUs

Year B - Tuesday of the Thirty-First Week in Ordinary Time

In Catholic Lectionary Today's readings:

• 📖 First reading: Philippians 2:5-11
• 📖 Gospel: Luke 14:15-24 ✨

🌟 In the first reading from Philippians, we reflect on the humility and self-emptying of Christ. Jesus, though divine, chose not to cling to His status but took on human form, humbling Himself to the point of death on a cross. This self-giving act led to His exaltation by God, as the name above every name. Christ’s humility and obedience serve as a model for us to live with humility, service, and sacrificial love. 💞

🌿 In the Gospel parable, Jesus speaks of a banquet where those initially invited found excuses to decline, prioritizing their own concerns. In response, the master extended the invitation to the poor, crippled, and outcast, showing that God’s Kingdom is open to all who are willing to accept it. However, we are reminded that by prioritizing earthly distractions, we risk missing God’s invitation to eternal joy. ✨

Today’s readings call us to examine how we respond to God’s invitation, placing His call above our worldly pursuits. By following Christ’s example of humility and readiness, we open ourselves to the fullness of life in God’s Kingdom. 🙏💖

#HumilityLikeChrist #GodsInvitation #OpenHeart #Kenosis #KingdomOfGod