7 November 2024 - Only By Grace Reflections

TOPIC: DO I HAVE A SHEPHERD'S HEART THAT LOOKS FOR THE LOST SHEEP?

First Reading: Philippians 3: 3-8a
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 105: 2-3, 4-5, 6-7
Alleluia: Matthew 11: 28
Gospel: Luke 15: 1-10

"You have made us for yourself, O God and our hearts are restless until they rest in you". This is a famous quote from St. Augustine who was an unlikely convert to Christianity.

One decisive moment for Augustine happened while he was in a garden one day and heard a child chanting, "Take up and read! Take up and read!" Feeling a divine nudge, he opened a Bible and read in Romans an exhortation to abandon licentiousness and to follow Christ. Augustine was suddenly confronted with his sin and need for redemption.

My brothers and sisters, the conversion story of St. Augustine may also be our story. Or maybe we have loved ones who were once lost and now found by the Lord. As this is cause for rejoicing, let us be reminded that there are still many who are lost or missing from the flock of the Lord. May we ask the Good Shepherd to plant in our hearts a shepherd's love for us to continue looking for the lost, the least, and the last. And surely, we can rejoice and give thanks to God that we are part of His army in building the Kingdom of God. As our Psalm for today says, "Rejoice, O hearts that seek the Lord!"

This is the 1656th installment of our CFC contemplation series focusing on the daily liturgical readings.

[NOTE: Let us listen to our brother Rouquel, a member of the CFC Board of Elders, and the International Coordinator of the CFC Servants of the Lord, as he brings us today's reflection.

All the regular reflections are between 3-7 minutes long, enough time for us to ponder what God's message is for us individually and to pray that we may