Thursday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time
Thursday November 4, 2027
Belonging to God in All Things
On Thursday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Year 1, the readings remind us that our lives are held in God’s care. Paul teaches that whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. This message gives us peace, because it shows that our purpose is always centered on God, not on ourselves.
The psalm tells us that the Lord is our light and salvation. It encourages us to trust in God even when life feels uncertain. The psalmist longs to dwell in God’s presence and to see His goodness. This prayer reflects a steady hope that God will never abandon us.
In the Gospel, Jesus speaks of a lost sheep and a lost coin. Each story shows the joy of finding what was lost. He compares this joy to the joy in heaven when a sinner repents. On Thursday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Year 1, we are invited to remember how much we matter to God.
Daily Mass Readings for Thursday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Year 1
- First Reading – Romans 14:7-12: In life and death, we belong to the Lord, for whom Christ died and rose, and we shall all face God’s judgment without passing judgment on each other.
- Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 27: The Lord is my light and salvation; I seek to live in His presence always, confident of seeing His goodness in life.
- Gospel – Luke 15:1-10: Jesus tells a parable about a shepherd who searches for one lost sheep, and a woman who searches for one lost coin, both rejoicing upon finding them. He compares this joy to the joy in heaven over a single sinner who repents, emphasizing the value of each individual’s repentance.
Cycle 1 is used in odd numbered years and Cycle 2 is used in even numbered years. The gospel is the same for both years. For even numbered years see Thursday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2.
I tell you, in just the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance.
Luke 15:7
Themes for the Readings for Thursday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1
On Thursday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, the readings from Romans and Luke focus on themes of God’s mercy, unity under Christ, and our responsibility to one another. Through Paul’s words on belonging to the Lord and Jesus’ parable of the lost sheep, we see how God’s care extends to each of us and calls us to embrace one another.
- God’s Loving Pursuit: Jesus speaks of God as a shepherd seeking the lost sheep. This shows us that God values every soul and reaches out to bring us back when we stray.
- Accountability to God: Paul reminds us that each person answers to God. This calls us to examine our actions and live with the awareness that we are ultimately accountable to Him.
- Unity under Christ: Paul speaks of belonging to the Lord, whether we live or die. This unity invites us to set aside personal differences and remember our shared identity as God’s people.
- Rejoicing in Repentance: Jesus describes the joy in heaven over one sinner who repents. This highlights the deep joy God feels when someone returns to Him, and it encourages us to celebrate others’ journeys toward faith.
- Judgment Belongs to God: Paul urges us not to judge one another but to leave judgment to God. This teaches us to refrain from forming harsh opinions and reminds us that only God sees the whole picture.
- God’s Individual Care: The parable of the lost sheep shows that each individual matters greatly to God. This teaches us to value people and see them as beloved by God, regardless of their background or struggles.
These themes from Thursday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 highlight God’s mercy and call us to respect and care for each other. They remind us that, through unity in Christ and love for others, we become active participants in God’s grace.
Reflection for Thursday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1
On Thursday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, we encounter themes of judgment, love, and God’s unending care for each one of us. Through Paul’s words and Jesus’ parable, we are reminded of the need to see others without judgment, the value of each person in God’s eyes, and the welcome He offers to all. These reflections call us to align our hearts more closely with God’s heart, to see others as He does, and to live out His love through our actions.
Leaving Judgment to God
On Thursday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, Paul reminds us not to judge each other but to leave all judgment to God. We may often form quick opinions about others’ actions, intentions, or situations. But Paul’s message is clear: only God sees the full picture of every person’s life and heart.
Judgment becomes a barrier that keeps us from seeing others with compassion and understanding. When we judge, we often assume we know the full story, but only God can truly know each person’s journey. By choosing not to judge, we can foster humility and kindness, focusing instead on offering love.
Following Paul’s message, we are encouraged to let go of our critical thoughts and to approach others as Jesus does. God calls us to love, to build others up, and to show mercy. When we leave judgment to God, we free ourselves to love and support each other better, helping to build the unity Paul describes in his letter.
The Value of Each Person to God
The parable of the lost sheep in the Gospel for Thursday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 reveals how deeply God values each individual. When one sheep strays, the shepherd leaves the ninety-nine to go and search for it, showing that every single person matters to God, even those who feel distant or forgotten.
Each of us is unique and irreplaceable in God’s eyes, no matter our past or our mistakes. This parable encourages us to look at each person with the same value and care that God does. Rather than seeing people as statistics or groups, we are called to recognize each individual as loved by God, with a special place in His heart.
This story also reminds us that God actively seeks us out when we stray. Just as the shepherd rejoices over the return of the lost sheep, God celebrates when we return to Him, no matter how far we may feel we have wandered. It’s a reminder of God’s patience, showing that He is always there, ready to bring us back into His care.
God’s Unconditional Welcome
The readings for Thursday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 reveal God’s open and unconditional welcome to everyone. In Paul’s letter, he explains how all people belong to the Lord, whether in life or in death. The Gospel parable, too, emphasizes that God’s welcome is especially for those who are lost or feel excluded.
This openness from God calls us to welcome others in the same way, without conditions or barriers. We are invited to open our hearts to others as God has done for us, seeing each person as part of our human family. In God’s kingdom, every soul is cherished and every person is invited to experience His love.
When we follow God’s example, we become instruments of His welcome in the world. Our words, actions, and attitudes become ways to show others that they are seen and valued by God. Like the shepherd who actively searches for the lost sheep, we are called to reach out to those around us, helping them feel accepted and embraced in God’s family.
As we reflect on Thursday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, may we be inspired to treat others with the same love and acceptance that God shows to each of us. When we let go of judgment, embrace each person’s worth, and extend God’s welcome, we participate in His work of love and healing. May we always seek to reflect the compassion, patience, and joy that God has for every soul.
Prayer
Lord, open our hearts to see others with Your love and patience. Help us release judgment and value each person as You do. May we be a source of kindness and welcome, just as You have welcomed us into Your love. Guide us to serve and love others each day. Amen.
Reflection Questions
- What keeps me from seeing others with the same patience and love that God shows?
- How can I remind myself of the value of each person in my life?
- What are some ways I can be more welcoming to others who may feel alone or forgotten?
- Where in my life might God be inviting me to let go of judgment and focus on love instead?
Homilies and Commentaries for Thursday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1
Found and Carried
Fr. Clinton Honkomp reflects on the deep love of God shown through the image of the Good Shepherd for Thursday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Year 1. God’s love is not logical or limited. He leaves the ninety-nine to search for the one who is lost. Each person matters to Him. When He finds us, He does not punish or scold. Instead, He lifts us onto His shoulders with joy, showing that His mercy is personal and tender.
Fr. Honkomp reminds us that Christ carried us too, not on His shoulders, but on His cross. Every sin and burden we could not carry, He took upon Himself. Heaven rejoices when the lost are found, and we are called to share in that joy. The Church is meant to echo heaven’s celebration, not by judging others, but by seeking them out with love. God’s mission always leads us home to joy and belonging.
Choose Your Character
On Thursday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Year 1, Matthew Kelly invites us to see ourselves in the different people from the Gospel. There are tax collectors, sinners, Pharisees, scribes, the lost sheep, the shepherd, and the rejoicing friends and angels. Each person represents something about our faith and our humanity. Sometimes we are lost and need God’s mercy, and other times we are called to rejoice when others are found and blessed.
Kelly encourages us to look at the story and ask who we are at this moment in life. Are we the one who has wandered, the one who judges, or the one who celebrates another’s joy? The Gospel gives endless ways to see ourselves and grow closer to Jesus. By reflecting on each character, we discover new lessons about love, humility, and gratitude. The Word of God stays alive because it always meets us where we are.
Welcoming the Lost
The Gospel reminds us that Jesus welcomed tax collectors and sinners, even when others were shocked by it. Sharing a meal with them showed acceptance and love, something the Pharisees could not understand. They focused on staying pure, but Jesus focused on bringing the lost back to truth and love. His mission was to heal, forgive, and lead people home to God.
Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers explains that many of us still act like the Pharisees. We take care of ourselves but forget to reach out to others in need. He reminds us that the Church is called to welcome everyone, especially those who feel unwanted or unloved. On Thursday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Year 1, we are reminded that true faith means showing care and compassion, just as St. Teresa of Kolkata taught—poverty of the heart is the greatest need to heal.
Crazy In Love
Bishop Barron reflects on the gospel for Thursday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time, pointing out the seemingly irrational actions of the shepherd who risks ninety-nine sheep to find one that is lost.
He explains that this parable illustrates God’s nature of boundless love for every individual, emphasizing that God values each soul so deeply that He would seek out each one, akin to being “crazy in love,” as described by Catherine of Siena.
Resources
The Letter to the Romans: Living and Dying in the Lord
In this passage for Thursday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Year 1, Paul reminds the Roman community that life and death are held in God’s hands. This fits with the wider letter, where Paul stresses that Christians are united in Christ’s saving work. Every believer belongs to the Lord, not to themselves or others.
Paul also warns against judging one another, pointing instead to God’s judgment. Throughout Romans, he emphasizes God’s justice and mercy, showing how both Jews and Gentiles depend on Christ. This section echoes the larger theme of unity in the Church, where faith in Jesus binds all together.
Psalm 27: Confidence in God’s Presence
Psalm 27, proclaimed on Thursday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Year 1, highlights trust in God’s protection. This psalm expresses hope in God as light and salvation, which reflects the psalter’s recurring theme of God as a refuge. The psalmist’s longing to live in God’s presence mirrors Israel’s covenant desire for closeness with the Lord.
The psalm also holds onto a vision of God’s goodness in the midst of trials. This trust aligns with the psalms’ role in worship, teaching the community to pray with confidence. The words remind Israel, and us, that God’s faithful love endures in every season of life.
The Gospel of Luke: The Joy of Finding the Lost
In Luke’s Gospel for Thursday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Year 1, Jesus tells two parables of searching and rejoicing. These fit into Luke’s larger emphasis on God’s mercy and inclusiveness. Luke often highlights the lost and marginalized, showing that God’s kingdom is open to all who turn back to Him.
The joy of heaven over one sinner’s repentance connects to Luke’s wider theme of salvation history. From the start, Luke shows God’s plan unfolding for every nation and person. These parables remind readers that each life matters, and repentance brings celebration in God’s family.
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The Shepherd’s Joyful Embrace
This image for Thursday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Year 1 reflects the Gospel of Luke, where Jesus speaks of the shepherd who rejoices over finding his lost sheep. It reminds us of God’s joy when one sinner repents and returns to Him.
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Questions and Answers for Thursday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1
Why does Paul remind us that we live and die for the Lord in the first reading for Thursday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?
Paul explains that as Christians, everything we do belongs to God, whether in life or death. This reminder encourages us to focus on serving God in all parts of our lives.
What does it mean to not judge others?
Paul calls us to leave judgment to God and not to judge each other harshly. God knows our hearts better than we do, and we should treat others with understanding and compassion.
How does Paul’s message of unity apply to us?
Paul says that we are united in the Lord, whether we live or die, which calls us to be one family in faith. This unity encourages us to support one another and work together to honor God.
How does the parable of the lost sheep in the Gospel for Thursday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 show God’s love?
The parable of the lost sheep highlights God’s care for every person, especially those who may feel lost or forgotten. God never abandons us and always seeks to bring us back to Him.
Why is repentance so important in the parable of the lost sheep?
The parable emphasizes the joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, showing the value God places on each person’s return to Him. Repentance brings us closer to God and brings joy to Him.
What can we learn from God’s care for the lost?
God’s attention to the lost sheep reminds us that each person has worth, no matter their struggles or mistakes. We must value others as God does and to show care and kindness to those who may feel left out or distant.
Why does God rejoice over one person who repents?
This rejoicing shows the importance of each person’s relationship with God, no matter how far they may feel from Him. Every step toward God is meaningful and celebrated in heaven.
How can we apply these readings in our relationships?
These readings invite us to show kindness, patience, and love toward others, knowing that we are all accountable to God. Thursday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 encourages us to forgive, avoid judging others, and value each person as God’s creation.
God Sees Every Lost One
Thursday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 begins with Paul’s reminder that we belong to the Lord. Whether we live or die, we are His. Christ died and rose for us all. Paul also says we should not judge others. Each of us will stand before God one day.
In the Gospel, Jesus speaks to those who criticize Him for spending time with sinners. He tells two short stories. One is about a shepherd who leaves ninety-nine sheep to find one that is lost. The other is about a woman who searches for one lost coin.
Both the shepherd and the woman are filled with joy when they find what was lost. Jesus says this is like the joy in heaven when one sinner turns back to God. Every person matters. No one is forgotten.
Thursday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 reminds us that God never gives up on anyone. He seeks each of us with care and joy.
Your Turn
Thursday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 calls us to see others the way God sees them. No one is too lost. Everyone matters. Can we let go of judging and focus on love instead?
Take time to think about your own journey. Were you ever the one who was lost? How did God find you? Share your story or a thought in the comments. Others may need to hear it.