Thursday of the XXXI Week in Ordinary Time

Thursday, November 5, 2026 Reading from the letter of the Apostle Saint Paul to the Philippians (3:3-8a): We are the circumcised, who worship with the Spirit of God, and who put our glory in Christ Jesus, without trusting in the flesh. Although, as I am, I would certainly have reason to trust in the flesh, and if anyone else thinks he can do so, I much more, circumcised eight days after birth, an Israelite by nation, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew through and through, and, as far as the law is concerned, a Pharisee; If it is about intransigence, I was a persecutor of the Church, if if I was just by law, I was irreproachable. However, all that was gain for me I considered loss compared to Christ; Furthermore, I consider everything a loss compared to the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus, my Lord. For him I lost everything, and I consider everything rubbish in order to gain Christ. Word of God publicans and sinners to listen to him. And the Pharisees and the scribes murmured among themselves, «This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.» Jesus told them this parable: «If one of you has a hundred sheep and one is lost, doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the field and go after the one that has gone astray until he finds it? And, when he finds it, he carries it on his shoulders, very happy; and, when he gets home, he gathers his friends and neighbors to tell them: «Congratulate me! I have found the sheep that I had lost.» I tell you that even so there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who is converted than over ninety-nine righteous people who do not need to be converted. And if a woman has ten coins and loses one, doesn’t she 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 to tell them: «Congratulate me! I have found the coin that I had lost.» I tell you that there will be the same joy among the angels of God over just one sinner who converts. Word of the Lord