Daily Catholic Mass Readings for March 23, 2019
First Reading: Micah 7.14-15, 18-20
14Shepherd your people with your staff, the flock of your inheritance, who dwell alone in a forest in the midst of a garden land; let them graze in Bashan and Gilead as in the days of old.15As in the days when you came out of the land of Egypt, I will show them marvelous things.18Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in steadfast love.19He will again have compassion on us; he will tread our iniquities under foot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.20You will show faithfulness to Jacob and steadfast love to Abraham, as you have sworn to our fathers from the days of old.
Psalm 103
1Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!2Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits,3who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases,4who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,5who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.6The LORD works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed.7He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel.8The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.9He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever.10He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities.11For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;12as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.13As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him.14For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust.15As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field;16for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more.17But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children's children,18to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments.19The LORD has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.20Bless the LORD, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his word, obeying the voice of his word!21Bless the LORD, all his hosts, his ministers, who do his will!22Bless the LORD, all his works, in all places of his dominion. Bless the LORD, O my soul!
Gospel: Luke 15.1-3, 11-32
1Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him.2And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, "This man receives sinners and eats with them."3So he told them this parable:11And he said, "There was a man who had two sons.12And the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.' And he divided his property between them.13Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living.14And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need.15So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs.16And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.17"But when he came to himself, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger!18I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you.19I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants."'20And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.21And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'22But the father said to his servants, 'Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet.23And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate.24For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.' And they began to celebrate.25"Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing.26And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant.27And he said to him, 'Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.'28But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him,29but he answered his father, 'Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends.30But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!'31And he said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.32It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; 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.