Mass readings for Thursday, 6 November 2025 (Thursday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time)

🙏 Opening Prayer 

Gracious God, you call us to live and to die belong­ing to you, and you draw near to seek the lost and bring them home. Grant that, gathered in your presence, we may live in the freedom of your children, and rejoice always in your mercy. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.Amen.

(For catechumens: May this prayer help you today to know more deeply that you are held by God, and that through Christ’s life and death you belong to him.)

📖 Readings

First Reading: Romans 14:7-12 – “None of us lives for oneself, and no one dies for oneself… whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord…” USCCB+2Catholic Online+2
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 27:1bcde, 4, 13-14 – “The LORD is my light and my salvation; of whom should I fear?” / “I believe I shall see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.” EWTN Global Catholic Television Network+1
Gospel: Luke 15:1-10 – The parable of the lost sheep and the lost coin: the shepherd/woman seeks what was lost, rejoices when found. Catholic Online+1

🔍 Reflection & Application

1. Living for the Lord (Romans 14:7-12)

• We do not live or die solely for ourselves; our life and death are in the Lord. USCCB

• Therefore, judging others or despising a brother or sister is inconsistent with this truth. We will each give an account of ourselves to God. EWTN Global Catholic Television Network

• Application: In daily life—work, relationships, Christian service—remember that you are living “for the Lord”. When tempted to compare, judge, or look down on others, recall that we all stand before God. For catechumens: this reminds you that your call to baptism is not just about personal belief but living in communion with Christ and his body, the Church.

2. Trusting God (Psalm 27:1,4,13-14)

• “The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom should I fear?” (v.1) – A confident trust in God’s presence. EWTN Global Catholic Television Network

• “One thing I ask of the LORD: to dwell in his house all the days of my life” (v.4) – A desire for intimacy with God.

• “Wait for the LORD; be strong; let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!” (v.14) – An exhortation to patient hope. Catholic Online+1

• Application: When anxiety or fear weigh you down (in work, family, preparation for baptism), return to this Psalm. Let it be your prayer: “Lord, be my light and salvation.” For catechumens: you are being drawn into this life of trust even before baptism—cultivate it now.

3. The Joy of Finding the Lost (Luke 15:1-10)

• The sinners and tax-collectors draw near to Jesus; the Pharisees grumble that “this man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” (v.1-2) USCCB+1

• Parable of the lost sheep: the shepherd leaves ninety-nine to search until he finds the one. (v.4-6)

• Parable of the lost coin: the woman lightens the house, sweeps, searches until she finds the coin. Then she calls her friends and neighbors to rejoice with her. (v.8-10)

• Jesus’ point: In the same way there is rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents more than ninety-nine righteous who have no need of repentance. Catholic Gallery+1

• Application:

  • For those of us baptized: Are there “lost sheep” or “lost coins” in my life? Perhaps a neglected relationship, a neglected gift, someone far from God, or a part of myself I’ve turned away from. God doesn’t abandon them — He searches. The question: will I join Him in the search?

  • For catechumens: You are in the search! God has found you (or is finding you). This Gospel reassures you: you are precious to God. He rejoices to bring you home. Your journey towards baptism echoes the shepherd and the woman’s joy.

  • Also: The warning to the Pharisees reminds us: beware of self-righteousness. Being “good” is not enough; awareness of our need for mercy and being joyfully found by God is vital.

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🕊 Closing Prayer

Lord of all mercies, you rejoice at every return and welcome home every wanderer. Grant us hearts that long for your presence, strength to live for you, and joy in the work of your kingdom. May we never fear to draw near to you or one another, but always celebrate the recovery of what was lost. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

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📎 For Catechumens – A Short Guide

• What this day teaches you: Your life is not your own; you belong to Christ. Your coming into the Church is part of that belonging.

• Invitation: Reflect on one area of your life you might be “living for yourself” rather than for the Lord. Ask how you might surrender it.

• Promise: God delights in reclaiming what is lost—your doubts, your fears, perhaps a past you wish to hide. He brings you into joy.

• Practice: Use the Psalm as morning or evening prayer: “The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?” Let it be your anchor.

• Community: Just as the woman called neighbours to rejoice, you are not alone—enter the life of the Christian community, ask questions, participate, share.