Saturday of the Second Week of Lent
Readings for Saturday of the Second Week of Lent[1][2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Readings and Commentary:[3]
Reading I: Micah 7:14-15, 18-20
Shepherd your people with your staff,
the flock of your inheritance,
That dwells apart in a woodland,
in the midst of Carmel.
Let them feed in Bashan and Gilead,
as in the days of old;
As in the days when you came from the land of Egypt,
show us wonderful signs.
Who is there like you, the God who removes guilt
and pardons sin for the remnant of his inheritance;
Who does not persist in anger forever,
but delights rather in clemency,
And will again have compassion on us,
treading underfoot our guilt?
You will cast into the depths of the sea all our sins;
You will show faithfulness to Jacob,
and grace to Abraham,
As you have sworn to our fathers
from days of old.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Mi 7:14-15, 18-20
This is the very end of the Book of the Prophet Micah. In the previous chapters he has chastised and condemned the excesses and corruption of Jerusalem and Samaria (rich exploiters of the poor, fraudulent merchants, venal judges, corrupt priests and prophets). Now at the end, he presents the Lord’s forgiveness and mercy to those who return to him.
The passage is actually parts of two different petitions of prayer. The first is a prayer to Yahweh probably dating from the time of return from exile, there is a note of longing that comes through. The second petition is Israel’s prayer for forgiveness; “Who does not persist in anger forever, but delights rather in clemency”. It recalls God’s pledge of faithfulness and grace. His mercy flows from his love of the people.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 103:1-2, 3-4, 9-10, 11-12
R. (8a) The Lord is kind and merciful.
Bless the LORD, O my soul;
and all my being, bless his holy name.
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits.
R. The Lord is kind and merciful.
He pardons all your iniquities,
he heals all your ills.
He redeems your life from destruction,
he crowns you with kindness and compassion.
R. The Lord is kind and merciful.
He will not always chide,
nor does he keep his wrath forever.
Not according to our sins does he deal with us,
nor does he requite us according to our crimes.
R. The Lord is kind and merciful.
For as the heavens are high above the earth,
so surpassing is his kindness toward those who fear him.
As far as the east is from the west,
so far has he put our transgressions from us.
R. The Lord is kind and merciful.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Ps 103:1-2, 3-4, 9-10, 11-12
Continuing the theme of forgiveness, Psalm 103 is a song of praise to God for his mercy. It recognizes both God’s mercy and our need, as sinners, for it.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gospel: Luke 15:1-3, 11-32
Tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus,
but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying,
“This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
So to them Jesus addressed this parable.
“A man had two sons, and the younger son said to his father,
‘Father, give me the share of your estate that should come to me.’
So the father divided the property between them.
After a few days, the younger son collected all his belongings
and set off to a distant country
where he squandered his inheritance on a life of dissipation.
When he had freely spent everything,
a severe famine struck that country,
and he found himself in dire need.
So he hired himself out to one of the local citizens
who sent him to his farm to tend the swine.
And he longed to eat his fill of the pods on which the swine fed,
but nobody gave him any.
Coming to his senses he thought,
‘How many of my father’s hired workers
have more than enough food to eat,
but here am I, dying from hunger.
I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him,
“Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.
I no longer deserve to be called your son;
treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers.”’
So he got up and went back to his father.
While he was still a long way off,
his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion.
He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him.
His son said to him,
‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you;
I no longer deserve to be called your son.’
But his father ordered his servants,
‘Quickly, bring the finest robe and put it on him;
put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.
Take the fattened calf and slaughter it.
Then let us celebrate with a feast,
because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again;
he was lost, and has been found.’
Then the celebration began.
Now the older son had been out in the field
and, on his way back, as he neared the house,
he heard the sound of music and dancing.
He called one of the servants and asked what this might mean.
The servant said to him,
‘Your brother has returned
and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf
because he has him back safe and sound.’
He became angry,
and when he refused to enter the house,
his father came out and pleaded with him.
He said to his father in reply,
‘Look, all these years I served you
and not once did I disobey your orders;
yet you never gave me even a young goat to feast on with my friends.
But when your son returns
who swallowed up your property with prostitutes,
for him you slaughter the fattened calf.’
He said to him,
‘My son, you are here with me always;
everything I have is yours.
But now we must celebrate and rejoice,
because your brother was dead and has come to life again;
he was lost and has been found.’“
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Lk 15:1-3, 11-32
The topic of repentance and forgiveness comes to a climax with St. Luke’s Parable of the Prodigal Son, one of the two “Parables of Mercy” found in this section, distilling the essence of the Good News. Found only the St. Luke’s Gospel, the imagery is instantly clear that this is to be an analogy. The father in the story represents God and the Prodigal Son us, when we repent our sins. Interestingly, the older brother is also us when we do not forgive those who have also sinned.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reflection:
The Prophet Micah’s oracle tries to tell us something of the depth of God’s love and mercy. The parable of the Prodigal Son told by Jesus provides a living example of the unwavering love of God for his children. It is one of the great pillars of our faith and a core reason Jesus was sent as man to walk among us – that notion that God’s forgiveness is endless; his embrace unreserved.
All of this we know, we have been taught, the Church has provided an avenue for it; yet why is it so difficult for us to accept it? Oh, we do not mean intellectually. Intellectually we know that God’s invitation is always there, his hand always outstretched. Intellectually we know that by dying on the cross, Jesus offered the great sacrifice of atonement that removed the stain of death brought upon us by Adam’s fall from grace. Intellectually we know that the repentant sinner is loved and cherished by God, even if that person only repented at the last moment of their life.
But when it comes down to our hearts, we cannot simply let go of our sin and allow the loving Father to welcome us home and embrace us. There is in us that dark corner of our souls that holds back, that tells us “wait, the sins we have committed are unforgivable” or “wait, the sin we have committed gave us enjoyment and we may want to go there again – don’t go back just yet.” These warring emotions battle within us, keeping us from accepting the loving embrace, keep us from offering our selves wholly to the Father who wants us to come home.
It is one of the most difficult things we do, accepting forgiveness for our sins. Part of the reason for this is that before we can fully accept the Father’s forgiveness we must accept that it is truly there, and forgive ourselves as well. It is only when our faith allows us to accept that God forgives our most vile faults that we can live in freedom from sin. It is only in turning away from those sins that we can come home to our loving Father.
The parable of the Prodigal Son is one that, for all of us, should embody our Lenten Journey. It is, after all, a journey home to the Father, after we have once more squandered our inheritance.
Pax
Readings for Saturday of the Second Week of Lent[1][2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Readings and Commentary:[3]
Reading I: Micah 7:14-15, 18-20
Shepherd your people with your staff,
the flock of your inheritance,
That dwells apart in a woodland,
in the midst of Carmel.
Let them feed in Bashan and Gilead,
as in the days of old;
As in the days when you came from the land of Egypt,
show us wonderful signs.
Who is there like you, the God who removes guilt
and pardons sin for the remnant of his inheritance;
Who does not persist in anger forever,
but delights rather in clemency,
And will again have compassion on us,
treading underfoot our guilt?
You will cast into the depths of the sea all our sins;
You will show faithfulness to Jacob,
and grace to Abraham,
As you have sworn to our fathers
from days of old.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Mi 7:14-15, 18-20
This is the very end of the Book of the Prophet Micah. In the previous chapters he has chastised and condemned the excesses and corruption of Jerusalem and Samaria (rich exploiters of the poor, fraudulent merchants, venal judges, corrupt priests and prophets). Now at the end, he presents the Lord’s forgiveness and mercy to those who return to him.
The passage is actually parts of two different petitions of prayer. The first is a prayer to Yahweh probably dating from the time of return from exile, there is a note of longing that comes through. The second petition is Israel’s prayer for forgiveness; “Who does not persist in anger forever, but delights rather in clemency”. It recalls God’s pledge of faithfulness and grace. His mercy flows from his love of the people.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 103:1-2, 3-4, 9-10, 11-12
R. (8a) The Lord is kind and merciful.
Bless the LORD, O my soul;
and all my being, bless his holy name.
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits.
R. The Lord is kind and merciful.
He pardons all your iniquities,
he heals all your ills.
He redeems your life from destruction,
he crowns you with kindness and compassion.
R. The Lord is kind and merciful.
He will not always chide,
nor does he keep his wrath forever.
Not according to our sins does he deal with us,
nor does he requite us according to our crimes.
R. The Lord is kind and merciful.
For as the heavens are high above the earth,
so surpassing is his kindness toward those who fear him.
As far as the east is from the west,
so far has he put our transgressions from us.
R. The Lord is kind and merciful.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Ps 103:1-2, 3-4, 9-10, 11-12
Continuing the theme of forgiveness, Psalm 103 is a song of praise to God for his mercy. It recognizes both God’s mercy and our need, as sinners, for it.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gospel: Luke 15:1-3, 11-32
Tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus,
but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying,
“This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
So to them Jesus addressed this parable.
“A man had two sons, and the younger son said to his father,
‘Father, give me the share of your estate that should come to me.’
So the father divided the property between them.
After a few days, the younger son collected all his belongings
and set off to a distant country
where he squandered his inheritance on a life of dissipation.
When he had freely spent everything,
a severe famine struck that country,
and he found himself in dire need.
So he hired himself out to one of the local citizens
who sent him to his farm to tend the swine.
And he longed to eat his fill of the pods on which the swine fed,
but nobody gave him any.
Coming to his senses he thought,
‘How many of my father’s hired workers
have more than enough food to eat,
but here am I, dying from hunger.
I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him,
“Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.
I no longer deserve to be called your son;
treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers.”’
So he got up and went back to his father.
While he was still a long way off,
his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion.
He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him.
His son said to him,
‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you;
I no longer deserve to be called your son.’
But his father ordered his servants,
‘Quickly, bring the finest robe and put it on him;
put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.
Take the fattened calf and slaughter it.
Then let us celebrate with a feast,
because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again;
he was lost, and has been found.’
Then the celebration began.
Now the older son had been out in the field
and, on his way back, as he neared the house,
he heard the sound of music and dancing.
He called one of the servants and asked what this might mean.
The servant said to him,
‘Your brother has returned
and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf
because he has him back safe and sound.’
He became angry,
and when he refused to enter the house,
his father came out and pleaded with him.
He said to his father in reply,
‘Look, all these years I served you
and not once did I disobey your orders;
yet you never gave me even a young goat to feast on with my friends.
But when your son returns
who swallowed up your property with prostitutes,
for him you slaughter the fattened calf.’
He said to him,
‘My son, you are here with me always;
everything I have is yours.
But now we must celebrate and rejoice,
because your brother was dead and has come to life again;
he was lost and has been found.’“
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Lk 15:1-3, 11-32
The topic of repentance and forgiveness comes to a climax with St. Luke’s Parable of the Prodigal Son, one of the two “Parables of Mercy” found in this section, distilling the essence of the Good News. Found only the St. Luke’s Gospel, the imagery is instantly clear that this is to be an analogy. The father in the story represents God and the Prodigal Son us, when we repent our sins. Interestingly, the older brother is also us when we do not forgive those who have also sinned.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reflection:
The Prophet Micah’s oracle tries to tell us something of the depth of God’s love and mercy. The parable of the Prodigal Son told by Jesus provides a living example of the unwavering love of God for his children. It is one of the great pillars of our faith and a core reason Jesus was sent as man to walk among us – that notion that God’s forgiveness is endless; his embrace unreserved.
All of this we know, we have been taught, the Church has provided an avenue for it; yet why is it so difficult for us to accept it? Oh, we do not mean intellectually. Intellectually we know that God’s invitation is always there, his hand always outstretched. Intellectually we know that by dying on the cross, Jesus offered the great sacrifice of atonement that removed the stain of death brought upon us by Adam’s fall from grace. Intellectually we know that the repentant sinner is loved and cherished by God, even if that person only repented at the last moment of their life.
But when it comes down to our hearts, we cannot simply let go of our sin and allow the loving Father to welcome us home and embrace us. There is in us that dark corner of our souls that holds back, that tells us “wait, the sins we have committed are unforgivable” or “wait, the sin we have committed gave us enjoyment and we may want to go there again – don’t go back just yet.” These warring emotions battle within us, keeping us from accepting the loving embrace, keep us from offering our selves wholly to the Father who wants us to come home.
It is one of the most difficult things we do, accepting forgiveness for our sins. Part of the reason for this is that before we can fully accept the Father’s forgiveness we must accept that it is truly there, and forgive ourselves as well. It is only when our faith allows us to accept that God forgives our most vile faults that we can live in freedom from sin. It is only in turning away from those sins that we can come home to our loving Father.
The parable of the Prodigal Son is one that, for all of us, should embody our Lenten Journey. It is, after all, a journey home to the Father, after we have once more squandered our inheritance.
Pax
[1] ALTRE
[2] The picture is “The Return of the Prodigal Son” by Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn, c. 1669
[3] Text of Readings is taken from the New American Bible, Copyright © Libreria Editrice Vaticana, Excerpts from the English translation of The Roman Missal © 1973, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved.
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