First Reading

Reading from the letter of the Apostle Saint Paul to the Philippians

Philippians 3, 3-8

Brothers and sisters: We are the true people of Israel, those who serve God moved by his Spirit and place our glory in Christ Jesus and do not trust in human motives. Although I certainly could rely on such motives. Moreover, no one would have more reasons than I to trust in human motives, because I was circumcised on the eighth day, I am an Israelite by birth, from the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew and son of Hebrews; as for the interpretation of the law, a Pharisee, and so fanatical that I persecuted the Church of God; and as for the righteousness that comes from fulfilling the law, blameless.

But everything that was valuable to me, I considered worthless because of Christ. Moreover, I think that nothing is worth it in comparison with the supreme good, which consists in knowing Christ Jesus, my Lord, for whose love I have renounced everything, and I consider everything as rubbish, as long as I may gain Christ.

Gospel

Reading from the holy gospel according to Saint Luke

Luke 15, 1-10

At that time, the tax collectors and sinners were approaching Jesus to listen to him; for which the Pharisees and the scribes murmured among themselves: “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them”.

Jesus then told them this parable: “Which of you, if he has a hundred sheep and loses one, does not leave the ninety-nine in the field and go in search of the one that was lost until he finds it? And once he finds it, he carries it on his shoulders, full of joy, and when he arrives home, he gathers his friends and neighbors and says to them: ‘Rejoice with me, because I have found the sheep that was lost’. I assure you that there will also be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who do not need to repent.

Or what woman, if she has ten silver coins and loses one, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? And when she finds it, she gathers her friends and neighbors and says to them: ‘Rejoice with me, because I have found the coin that was lost’. I assure you that in the same way the angels of God rejoice over one sinner who repents”.