Twenty-Fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time (Jerusalem Bible Translation)
Liturgy of the Word for September 15, 2013 (NAB Translations) Lectionary: 132
Reflection begins at 4:40 minute mark.
Reading 1
EX 32:7-11, 13-14
This first reading features a conversation between Moses and God, showing an angrier side of the Father than we are used to hearing about. The Lord begins by commanding Moses to return down Mount Sinai to let them know they have upset Him.
The Hebrews had quickly forgotten all the Lord had done for them in the Exodus of Egypt and the miracles they had witness as he protected them from the anger of the Egyptians. While Moses went up Mount Sinai to talk to God, they quickly grew impatient and made their own idol out of the golden calf. God was justly angry.
Moses desperately intercedes for his people and reminds God of His promise to his forefathers. It would have been possible to start over with just Moses and his family, but God shows His loving mercy.
Responsorial Psalm
PS 51:3-4, 12-13, 17, 19
R. (Lk 15:18) I will rise and go to my father.
Reading 2
1 TM 1:12-17
This second reading from the letter to Timothy is very simple. We hear the repentant heart of St Paul cry out with gratefulness as he reflects on his unworthiness before the Lord. Sometimes it seems that there is no hope for some people, but St Paul reminds us that there is hope for even the worst of sinners. God’s mercy is endless and there is no heart whose conversion our Lord will reject.
Gospel
LK 15:1-32 OrLK 15:1-10
This week’s Gospel has two options for length. Some will include only the parable of the sheep and the coin, and others will also include the parable of the prodigal son, depending on which one your parish chooses.
This week’s theme is clearly conversion. We hear the very familiar stories of finding what was once lost. When we refer to something being lost, it is dependent upon an original stance or position. We believe that no matter where anyone might have ended up, their origin and intended place is with our Lord.
It’s easy to listen to all these stories and focus on how much our God loves us, but most of us that are listening to podcast or going to mass have already encountered this mercy at some points in our lives.
This week’s readings are a challenge to our own limits of mercy. How much do we truly live in the mercy offered to us by our Lord Jesus Christ? Do we take it for granted? Do we truly believe that there is no limit to His love and live in such a way that radiates the joy that should accompany someone redeemed?
Our lives need to tell the world of this mercy and love, and if we truly call ourselves Christians, we must spread the news of the inexhaustible mercy of Jesus, while also not being stingy with our own ability to forgive and show mercy to the world. It’s very difficult to accept and live in God’s mercy if we are unable to share it with those in our lives.
Question for reflection
How can you be more generous with your own mercy and love? Where have we put limits to God’s love?
Reflection done by Cristobal Almanza – @SoulPainter
Theme song – Ignite – Soundwave soundwave.cc
Background music
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