lost and found
“Those things I used to consider gain I have now reappraised as loss in the light of Christ. I have come to rate all as loss in the light of the surpassing knowledge of my Lord Jesus Christ.” —Philippians 3:7-8
Philemon lost a slave named Onesimus (Phlm 11); when Onesimus ran away, it was a loss of an asset to Philemon. But then through the ministry of St. Paul, Philemon gained a brother in Christ (Phlm 16). Onesimus was lost as a slave and then was found as a brother (see Lk 15:32).
We lose our lives for Christ and, because of our surrender to Him, we consequently find our lives in Christ (Lk 9:24-25; Jn 12:25-26). For what does it profit us to gain the whole world and lose our lives? (Lk 9:24ff)
There is a strong link between loss of attachments, possessions, power, and status, and being “found” by Jesus, the Good Shepherd Who has come “to search out and save what was lost” (Lk 19:10; 15:4-5). We lose our old life and all that binds us to the world. In so doing, if we receive the Good Shepherd and allow Him to find us, we are “found”; we gain a new life.
Lose everything for Jesus. Let Him be your gain (Phil 3:8).
Prayer: Father, may I come to “know Christ and the power flowing from His resurrection” (Phil 3:10).
Promise: “He, the Lord, is our God; throughout the earth His judgments prevail.” —Ps 105:7
Praise: St. Martin de Porres was the son of a Spanish nobleman and a former Panamanian slave. He is the patron saint for those of multi-cultural heritage, barbers, and health care workers.
Reference: (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
Rescript: In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for the publication One Bread, One Body covering the time period from October 1, 2022, through November 30, 2022. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio January 3, 2022
The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.