First Reading - Romans 14:7-12
Gospel - Luke 15:1-10
Every person longs to be valued, to be known, and to belong. Yet, how often we drift away—from others, from ourselves, and even from God—sometimes without realizing it. Today’s readings remind us that no one is beyond God’s reach or His love. God never gives up on us; He searches, waits, and rejoices when we return. The theme that emerges is simple yet powerful: we belong to God, and His mercy seeks to bring us back whenever we stray.
In the first reading, St. Paul tells the Romans, “None of us lives for himself, and none of us dies for himself. If we live, we live for the Lord, and if we die, we die for the Lord.” In other words, our lives are not our own—we belong to God. Everything we do, say, and strive for should reflect that belonging. This truth gives life its meaning and direction. When we forget this, we begin to live for ourselves—seeking satisfaction in possessions, recognition, or power—and in doing so, we lose sight of what really matters. But Paul reminds us that God is both Lord of the living and the dead. His authority is not oppressive—it is liberating, because it roots us in love and purpose.
The Gospel from Luke gives us two parables that beautifully express that divine love: the lost sheep and the lost coin. Both stories show the relentless mercy of God. The shepherd leaves ninety-nine sheep to look for the one that is lost, and the woman lights a lamp and sweeps the whole house to find a single coin. In both cases, when what was lost is found, there is great rejoicing. Jesus uses these simple images to reveal the heart of God—He is not indifferent, not passive, not waiting for us to fix ourselves. He actively seeks us, meets us where we are, and rejoices when we turn back to Him.
Dear friends, too often, we are quick to judge, slow to forgive, and hesitant to reach out to those who have fallen away. But Jesus invites us to share in the Father’s joy—to be people who seek, not condemn; who include, not exclude; who restore, not reject. Being a disciple means carrying the same searching, forgiving heart that Christ has for us.
This means we must learn to see others with compassion rather than criticism. Perhaps there is someone in our life who has “wandered away”—a friend, a family member, a fellow believer. Instead of giving up on them, we are called to pray for them, reach out with kindness, and reflect the patience of God. And if we ourselves feel distant from God, these readings assure us that He is already looking for us, longing to bring us home.
Today, God reminds us: you belong to Me. You are never too far gone, never too lost to be found. When we allow ourselves to be embraced by His mercy, we begin to live differently—freed from self-centeredness and filled with the desire to bring others back to His love.
Let us, then, live and love for the Lord, trusting that every act of mercy, every step toward reconciliation, brings joy to heaven itself. For there is no greater celebration than the return of a heart to the God who never stops seeking it.
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