Daily Mass Readings – Thursday, 4 November 2027

7 For none of us liveth to himself; and no man dieth to himself.

8 For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; or whether we die, we die unto the Lord. Therefore, whether we live, or whether we die, we are the Lord’s.

9 For to this end Christ died and rose again; that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.

10 But thou, why judgest thou thy brother? or thou, why dost thou despise thy brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

11 For it is written: As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.

12 Therefore every one of us shall render account to God for himself.

R. (13) I believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living.

1 The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? The Lord is the protector of my life: of whom shall I be afraid?

R. I believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living.

4 One thing I have asked of the Lord, this will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life. That I may see the delight of the Lord, and may visit his temple.

R. I believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living.

13 I believe to see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living.

14 Expect the Lord, do manfully, and let thy heart take courage, and wait thou for the Lord.

R. I believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

28 Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest, says the Lord.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

1 Now the publicans and sinners drew near unto him to hear him.

2 And the Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying: This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.

3 And he spoke to them this parable, saying:

4 What man of you that hath an hundred sheep: and if he shall lose one of them, doth he not leave the ninety-nine in the desert, and go after that which was lost, until he find it?

5 And when he hath found it, lay it upon his shoulders, rejoicing:

6 And coming home, call together his friends and neighbours, saying to them: Rejoice with me, because I have found my sheep that was lost?

7 I say to you, that even so there shall be joy in heaven upon one sinner that doth penance, more than upon ninety-nine just who need not penance.

8 Or what woman having ten groats; if she lose one groat, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently until she find it?

9 And when she hath found it, call together her friends and neighbours, saying: Rejoice with me, because I have found the groat which I had lost.

10 So I say to you, there shall be joy before the angels of God upon one sinner doing penance.

“We are the Lord’s.” These words give a steady center to every part of life. Christ is Lord of the living and the dead, and our existence is never private property, detached from God or from one another. Because we belong to him, Paul warns us against judging or despising a brother or sister. Each person will stand before Christ, so our task is not to take his place as judge.

The Gospel shows what the Lord’s judgment looks like: he searches for the lost sheep until he finds it, and he diligently seeks the lost coin. Heaven rejoices when a sinner turns back. This is the mercy in which we are meant to live. The Lord does not treat the lost as disposable; he seeks them, carries them, and celebrates their return. The psalm gives us courage to wait for such a God, trusting that we will see his goodness. We can practice this trust by resisting contempt, leaving room for repentance, and receiving those who return with genuine joy. Since our life belongs to Christ, we can place both our fears and our relationships into his patient hands.

Lord Jesus, you are Lord of the living and the dead, and every person is precious in your sight. Give me the humility to remember that I will answer to you, so that I may stop judging others and refuse the temptation to despise them. Let your mercy shape the way I welcome those who have wandered and those who are seeking their way back. Strengthen my faith when I must wait, and be my light and protector in every season. Teach me to rejoice whenever your lost sheep is found and your grace restores a sinner. Amen.