Daily Readings - Sat Mar 23 2019
Micah
14With your rod, pasture your people, the flock of your inheritance, living alone in the narrow forest, in the midst of Carmel. They will graze in Bashan and Gilead, as in the ancient days15As in the days of your departure from the land of Egypt, I will reveal miracles to him18What God is like you, who takes away iniquity and passes over the sin of the remnant of your inheritance? No longer will he send forth his fury, because he is willing to be merciful19He will turn back and have mercy on us. He will put away our iniquities, and he will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea20You will give the truth to Jacob, mercy to Abraham, which you swore to our fathers from the ancient days
Luke
1Now tax collectors and sinners were drawing near to him, so that they might listen to him2And the Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying, "This one accepts sinners and eats with them.3And he told this parable to them, saying11And he said: "A certain man had two sons12And the younger of them said to the father, ‘Father, give me the portion of your estate which would go to me.’ And he divided the estate between them13And after not many days, the younger son, gathering it all together, set out on a long journey to a distant region. And there, he dissipated his substance, living in luxury14And after he had consumed it all, a great famine occurred in that region, and he began to be in need15And he went and attached himself to one of the citizens of that region. And he sent him to his farm, in order to feed the swine16And he wanted to fill his belly with the scraps that the swine ate. But no one would give it to him17And returning to his senses, he said: ‘How many hired hands in my father’s house have abundant bread, while I perish here in famine18I shall rise up and go to my father, and I will say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you19I am not worthy to be called your son. Make me one of your hired hands.20And rising up, he went to his father. But while he was still at a distance, his father saw him, and he was moved with compassion, and running to him, he fell upon his neck and kissed him21And the son said to him: ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. Now I am not worthy to be called your son.22But the father said to his servants: ‘Quickly! Bring out the best robe, and clothe him with it. And put a ring on his hand and shoes on his feet23And bring the fatted calf here, and kill it. And let us eat and hold a feast24For this son of mine was dead, and has revived; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to feast25But his elder son was in the field. And when he returned and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing26And he called one of the servants, and he questioned him as to what these things meant27And he said to him: ‘Your brother has returned, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has received him safely.28Then he became indignant, and he was unwilling to enter. Therefore, his father, going out, began to plead with him29And in response, he said to his father: ‘Behold, I have been serving you for so many years. And I have never transgressed your commandment. And yet, you have never given me even a young goat, so that I might feast with my friends30Yet after this son of yours returned, who has devoured his substance with loose women, you have killed the fatted calf for him.31But he said to him: ‘Son, you are with me always, and all that I have is yours32But it was necessary to feast and to rejoice. For this brother of yours was dead, and has revived; he was lost, and is found.’
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the boundless mercy and love of God, as well as our own response to that love. In the first reading from Micah, we hear a beautiful expression of hope and trust in God’s compassion. The prophet describes God as a shepherd who guides and protects His people, even in times of difficulty. He emphasizes that God’s mercy is not just a feeling but a commitment to His people, demonstrated through His willingness to forgive sins and restore relationships. This passage reminds us that no matter how far we may wander, God’s love remains steadfast, and He is always ready to welcome us back.
The Gospel parable of the Prodigal Son powerfully illustrates this same theme of divine mercy. The younger son, who squanders his inheritance and hits rock bottom, decides to return home, expecting only to be treated as a servant. Instead, he is met with the father’s overwhelming joy and generosity. The father’s actions show that God’s love is not about merit or worthiness but about unconditional forgiveness and reconciliation. The elder son’s resentment, on the other hand, challenges us to examine our own attitudes toward God’s mercy. Are we like the elder son, struggling with self-righteousness or resentment, or are we open to the father’s invitation to celebrate the return of the lost?
These readings call us to reflect on our relationship with God and with others. Like the younger son, we all have moments of failure and sin, but God’s mercy is always available to us. At the same time, we are called to imitate the father’s compassion and forgiveness in our own lives. Let us ask ourselves: Do we extend mercy to those who have wronged us? Do we trust in God’s love and forgiveness when we fall short? The Good News today is that no matter where we are on our journey, God’s love is always ready to embrace us, restore us, and set us free. Let us turn to Him with humble hearts and allow His mercy to transform us.