Daily Readings - Sat Mar 06 2021
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
In today’s readings, we encounter powerful themes of mercy, forgiveness, and the boundless love of God. The first reading from Micah paints a vivid picture of a shepherd tending to his flock, symbolizing God’s care for His people. Micah emphasizes God’s willingness to forgive sins and show mercy, even when we wander away. This passage, written during a time of crisis for Israel, calls the people to repentance and trust in God’s steadfast love. The prophet reminds us that God’s mercy is not just a feeling but a commitment to restore and renew His people.
The Gospel from Luke presents the well-known parable of the Prodigal Son, a story that mirrors the message of Micah. The younger son, having squandered his inheritance and hit rock bottom, returns home to a father who runs to meet him with compassion and celebration. This parable, told in response to the Pharisees’ criticism of Jesus’ association with sinners, underscores the radical nature of God’s love. The father’s joy in being reunited with his lost son reflects the heart of God, who rejoices when the lost are found and the broken are restored. The elder son’s resentment, however, serves as a caution against self-righteousness and a lack of empathy.
Together, these readings invite us to reflect on our own relationship with God and with others. Micah calls us to humility and trust in God’s mercy, while the parable of the Prodigal Son challenges us to embrace the transformative power of forgiveness—both receiving it and extending it to others. In our daily lives, we are called to live as people who have experienced God’s mercy and to share that mercy with a world in need. Let us ask ourselves: Are we open to receiving God’s forgiveness? Are we willing to extend that same forgiveness to others? May we, like the father in the parable, choose compassion over resentment and love over judgment, trusting that God’s mercy can heal even the deepest wounds.