Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 15, 1-10

The 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 Jesus addressed this parable to them.
“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?
And when he does find it,
he sets it on his shoulders with great joy
and, upon his arrival home,
he calls together his friends and neighbors and says to them,
‘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.

“Or what woman having ten coins and losing one
would not light a lamp and sweep the house,
searching carefully until she finds it?
And when she does find it,
she calls together her friends and neighbors
and says to them,
‘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.”

Drawing near

1) Pharisees. I have to admit—and accept—that many people experience conversion through a retreat, Mass, or even a mission trip, yet struggle to take the next step and join a community. Often, the reason is the division in Church communities or even our lack of basic humanity. As an institution, we’ve driven away many Christians—not because they’ve lost faith in Jesus Christ, but because of our rules and internal politics. Some people even say, “I’ll go to Mass, but please don’t ask me to join a group.” One of the main reasons is that they see people competing for recognition or rigidly enforcing rules laid down by the founder of a given movement. Some know more about the founder’s life and teachings than they do about Jesus Himself.

2) Reaching out. That’s why I’m realizing that my life as a priest isn’t only about celebrating Mass and attending wakes. My priesthood also calls me to go out, proclaim the Gospel, and live on mission—and you’re part of that mission too. People may criticize me for being everywhere, but I don’t care. If even a few people tell me they didn’t know Christ before, then I know I’m fulfilling my purpose. We can’t let the Gospel become stale. I encourage you to go out and reveal the living Christ. You don’t have to be a priest or a nun, and you don’t have to be perfect or spotless. We proclaim Him while carrying our own sins and weaknesses, because speaking about Christ from a VIP box is entirely different from standing beside someone in the midst of their struggle.

3) I’ve found. I often say that we Catholics are still arguing over whether a procession should go down the left or right side of the street while there are people who still don’t know Jesus. Lately, I’ve realized that many people have learned Christ’s teachings without ever truly encountering Him. It’s startling to see how many still don’t know God’s love. Recently, I’ve been heartbroken by the number of young people attempting suicide and teenagers taking antidepressants because they’ve lost the desire to live. They’re the ones who most need us to bring them a Gospel that feels fresh and alive.

Today, give yourself the chance to reach out to those who’ve lost the will to live and help them rediscover hope. Be present and compassionate—that’s how genuine seeds of change are planted. Don’t overwhelm them with the Ten Commandments or a rigid, military-style version of doctrine. Show them that it’s possible to emerge from even the deepest darkness, because you and I are the light of the world and the salt that gives flavor to life.

Never forget that something good is on the way! 

God bless you, be with you and protect you in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.