PRI Reflections on Scripture | Friday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time

Join Msgr. Don Fischer as he reads and delivers a short reflection on today’s gospel, followed by 3 1/2 minutes of contemplative music and a closing prayer. Msgr. Don hopes that today’s reflection on the gospel will empower you to carry the Word in your heart throughout the day.

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Friday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time
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Original Postdate: 11-8-2024
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Gospel
Luke 16:1-8

JThe 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.”

Reflection
The confusing thing in this passage is it seems that those who are prudent, taking care of themselves are being, in a sense, commended. But the issue is more complicated than that when it comes to how we live in the Kingdom of God. The wisdom of the kingdom of God is that when we surrender to him, we will be cared for.

We do not need to be cunning and and figure out a way to use people in order to get to what we need. That would be against the kingdom of God. So the challenge is to recognize how simple the message is, and that is simply to allow God to care for us and to surrender to him in everything.

 

Closing Prayer
Father, wisdom is something we seek. We long to know how the world works and how we are gauged in a world that you call the kingdom of God. Bless us with prudence and wisdom as we struggle to understand how to receive your kingdom. And we ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

 
 

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