“I even consider everything as a loss because of the supreme good of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” (Philippians 3:8a)

In today’s Gospel, the Pharisees and scribes are shocked because, by eating with “tax collectors and sinners,” Jesus is saying that he and they are truly one. In Luke’s gospel, meals signify Jesus’ solidarity with all human beings, not only with those who think themselves to be good people. One lesson for us is to remember that we are all sinners, in some sense; we have no reason to feel so separate from those (even in our own families) who appear to us to be unsavory or lost.

Our Gospel reading goes on to give two beautiful images of this all-encompassing love that God has for each one of us. The first image is that of the shepherd, who lovingly cares for his entire flock of sheep, and loves each one so much that he leaves the flock in order to search for the one that is lost. The second image is that of a woman (perhaps a wife and mother) who, upon losing a coin, lights a lamp, sweeps the house, and searches ceaselessly until she finds it.

Do we truly believe that God loves each one of us (and all “sinners”) in that way?

“The sovereign end of Communion is to form unity of life and person between Jesus Christ and us. It is not perfect if we do not arrive at that, for it is not our works alone that He desires when descending into us, but ourselves.” (Saint Peter Julian Eymard; The Divine Eucharist.)

Do we allow our union with Christ in the Eucharist to consume us totally, so that we become Eucharist for those with whom we share our daily meals?

Let Us Pray:

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. (Beginning of The Prayer of Saint Francis)