Daily Readings - Sat Mar 22 2025
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 the human experience of sin, repentance, and reconciliation. In the first reading from Micah, the prophet speaks of God’s compassion and faithfulness to His people, despite their sins. He describes God as a shepherd who guides and protects His flock, even when they wander. The passage emphasizes that God’s mercy is not limited by our failures but is instead a profound expression of His love and faithfulness. In the Gospel, Jesus tells the parable of the Prodigal Son, a powerful story of a father’s unwavering love and forgiveness. The younger son squanders his inheritance and falls into sin, but when he returns home in humility, the father welcomes him with open arms, celebrating his return with joy. This parable underscores the truth that God’s love is not conditional but is always ready to embrace those who turn to Him with a repentant heart.
Both readings highlight the theme of divine mercy and the call to trust in God’s love. In Micah, we see God’s promise to cast our sins “into the depths of the sea,” symbolizing the completeness of His forgiveness. In the Gospel, the father’s extravagant mercy toward his wayward son challenges us to rethink our understanding of love and forgiveness. The elder son’s resentment reminds us that we, too, can struggle with jealousy or self-righteousness when we see others being forgiven. Yet, the father’s response—“all that I have is yours”—reminds us that God’s love is not limited by our worthiness but is always abundant and generous.
These readings call us to reflect on our own relationship with God and with others. How do we respond when we recognize our own sinfulness? Do we approach God with the humility and trust of the Prodigal Son, or do we hold back, fearing judgment? Additionally, how do we extend God’s mercy to others? The father in the parable does not lecture or punish his son but instead showers him with love and restores him to his place in the family. This is a powerful reminder that we are called to be instruments of God’s mercy in the world, offering forgiveness and compassion to those around us. Let us ask for the grace to receive God’s love fully and to share it generously with others, just as the Father has shared it with us.