Daily Catholic Mass Readings for March 30, 2025
First Reading: Joshua 5.9a, 10-12
9And the Lord said to Joshua, "Today I have taken away from you the disgrace of Egypt." And the name of that place was called Gilgal, even to the present day10And the sons of Israel stayed at Gilgal, and they kept the Passover, on the fourteenth day of the month at evening, in the plains of Jericho11And on the following day, they ate unleavened bread from the grain of the land, and cooked grain, of the same year12And the manna ceased after they ate from the grain of the land. And the sons of Israel no longer made use of that food. Instead, they ate from the grain of the present year, from the land of Canaan
Psalm 34
1To David, when he changed his appearance in the sight of Abimelech, and so he dismissed him, and he went away. I will bless the Lord at all times. His praise will be ever in my mouth2In the Lord, my soul will be praised. May the meek listen and rejoice3Magnify the Lord with me, and let us extol his name in itself4I sought the Lord, and he heeded me, and he carried me away from all my tribulations5Approach him and be enlightened, and your faces will not be confounded6This poor one cried out, and the Lord heeded him, and he saved him from all his tribulations7The Angel of the Lord will encamp around those who fear him, and he will rescue them8Taste and see that the Lord is sweet. Blessed is the man who hopes in him9Fear the Lord, all you his saints. For there is no destitution for those who fear him10The rich have been needy and hungry, but those who seek the Lord will not be deprived of any good thing11Come forward, sons. Listen to me. I will teach you the fear of the Lord12Which is the man who wills life, who chooses to see good days13Prohibit your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit14Turn away from evil, and do good. Inquire about peace, and pursue it15The eyes of the Lord are on the just, and his ears are with their prayers16But the countenance of the Lord is upon those who do evil, to perish the remembrance of them from the earth17The just cried out, and the Lord heard them, and he freed them from all their tribulations18The Lord is near to those who are troubled in heart, and he will save the humble in spirit19Many are the afflictions of the just, but from them all the Lord will free them20The Lord preserves all of their bones, not one of them shall be broken21The death of a sinner is very harmful, and those who hate the just will fare badly22The Lord will redeem the souls of his servants, and none of those who hope in him will fare badly
Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 5.17-21
17So if anyone is a new creature in Christ, what is old has passed away. Behold, all things have been made new18But all is of God, who has reconciled us to himself through Christ, and who has given us the ministry of reconciliation19For certainly God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, not charging them with their sins. And he has placed in us the Word of reconciliation20Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, so that God is exhorting through us. We beseech you for Christ: be reconciled to God21For God made him who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that we might become the justice of God in him
Gospel: Luke 15.1-3, 11-32
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 narratives of transformation and divine mercy. The first reading from Joshua marks a pivotal moment for the Israelites as they transition from the wilderness, sustained by manna, to the Promised Land, where they now eat its produce. This shift symbolizes a new chapter in their relationship with God, moving from reliance on miraculous provision to trusting in His promise fulfilled.
The second reading from 2 Corinthians deepens this theme of new beginnings. Paul emphasizes that in Christ, we are made new, and we are entrusted with the ministry of reconciliation. This is not just a personal transformation but a call to be ambassadors of God's grace, urging others to embrace His mercy.
The Gospel parable of the Prodigal Son vividly illustrates this mercy. The father's joy in welcoming back his wayward son, despite his past, reflects God's boundless forgiveness. The elder son's resentment reminds us that reconciliation requires humility and understanding. The father's reassurance to the elder son underscores that God's love is not divided but abundantly available to all.
In our daily lives, these readings invite us to seek forgiveness and to extend mercy to others. Just as the Israelites entered a new land and we are made new in Christ, we are called to embrace each day as an opportunity for renewal. Let us approach life with the humility of the prodigal son and the generosity of the forgiving father, trusting in God's endless mercy and living as reconciled people.