Daily Readings - Sat Mar 23 2019
Micah
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.
Luke
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.