Readings for the Twenty Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Moses has gone up to Mount Sinai to receive the Law. When he did not come down quickly the people became restless and implored Aaron to fashion for them a golden calf that they might have an object for their worship. In the passage we hear today, God has seen what the children of Israel have done and wishes to wipe them from the face of the earth. But Moses intercedes for them and God relents for his sake.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 51:3-4, 12-13, 17, 19
R. I will rise and go to my father.
Psalm 51 is a communal lament. In this selection we implore the Lord to be merciful and patient. We ask God to strengthen in us the grace of our baptism.
“Present gratitude for the Christian apostleship leads Paul to recall an earlier time when he had been a fierce persecutor of the Christian communities (cf Acts 26:9-11) until his conversion by intervention of divine mercy through the appearance of Jesus. This and his subsequent apostolic experience testify to the saving purpose of Jesus' incarnation.” (NAB Footnote)
Jesus uses the criticism by the Scribes and Pharisees as a teach moment. He uses parables to drive the point home that God rejoices in the return of those who have turned their backs to him in sin. The parable of the Prodigal Son is a special reinforcement of Jesus’ love for those who repent. It is a reassurance that all who repent will be welcomed back.
Or Lk 15:1-10
The shorter version of the Gospel omits the parable of the Prodigal Son and gives us the stories of the lost sheep and the lost coin. The emphasis is the same as the longer version but with less drama.
Reflection:
In the very early Church, before Sacramental Theology had become as well developed as it is today, our understanding of forgiveness and reconciliation were less formal. These stories, the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son were the standards by which forgiveness by the Lord was understood.
The story of the prodigal son strikes a deep chord with many of us as we see our own selfish actions as very much like those of the foolish son. We understand the Father’s love in the story and we are heartened by the fact that even our sinfulness will be forgiven if we are repentant.
Our response to the stories should be one of humility. How fallen our nature is that the Son of God should find it necessary to paint so clear a picture of God’s loving forgiveness. From the time of Moses, even before, to the time of Adam and Eve in the original sin, we have failed to live up to the standard of perfection shown to us by God’s Son.
Our pledge must be that, even though we are reassured knowing that no matter how many times we turn away from the Lord we will be welcomed back in repentance, we must strive to live up to the example of Christ. He is our model and like his example shows, we to must forgive others at whose hands we take harm. The story of the prodigal son not only shows up our own failings but gives us an example of forgiveness to follow.
Today we rejoice, celebrating once more the great love of God the Father who through His Son has destroyed sin and death and provided us with the grace offered in Reconciliation. We ask also for his strength that we might give God glory as we forgive others. Our challenge is great today. We hope in Him that offers us a new spirit and a new heart.
Pax
The picture used is The Return of the Prodigal Son by Harmenszoon van Rijn Rembrandt, 1636
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