Daily Readings - Sun Mar 27 2022
Joshua
9And the LORD said to Joshua, "Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you." And so the name of that place is called Gilgal to this day.10While the people of Israel were encamped at Gilgal, they kept the Passover on the fourteenth day of the month in the evening on the plains of Jericho.11And the day after the Passover, on that very day, they ate of the produce of the land, unleavened cakes and parched grain.12And the manna ceased the day after they ate of the produce of the land. And there was no longer manna for the people of Israel, but they ate of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year.
2 Corinthians
17Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.18All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation;19that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.20Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.21For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
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 themes of renewal, reconciliation, and the boundless mercy of God. In the first reading from Joshua, we see the Israelites marking a new beginning as they celebrate the Passover in the Promised Land, leaving behind the hardships of the wilderness. This moment signifies their transition from a life of wandering to one of stability and covenant fulfillment. The second reading from 2 Corinthians reminds us that through Christ, we are made new creatures, and our old selves have passed away. Paul emphasizes that we are ambassadors of reconciliation, called to share the message of God’s mercy and forgiveness with the world. The Gospel, the parable of the Prodigal Son, beautifully illustrates this mercy. The younger son, after squandering his inheritance and hitting rock bottom, returns home to a father who runs to meet him with compassion and celebration. Meanwhile, the elder son’s resentment highlights the challenge of embracing God’s unconditional love and forgiveness.
These readings are deeply connected, as they all point to the transformative power of God’s grace. The Israelites in Joshua experience a new beginning in the Promised Land, symbolizing the end of their old way of life and the start of a new covenant. In 2 Corinthians, Paul speaks of a spiritual renewal through Christ, where believers are called to live as new creations. The parable of the Prodigal Son brings this to life, showing how God’s love is not limited by our failures but is instead poured out in abundance, calling us to return to Him. The elder son’s reaction, however, reminds us that we must also let go of our own sense of self-righteousness and resentment, embracing the joy of reconciliation.
In our daily lives, these readings call us to reflect on our own relationship with God and with others. Have we, like the younger son, wandered away from God and are in need of returning? Or are we like the elder son, holding onto resentment and struggling to accept God’s mercy? The message is clear: God’s love is always available to us, and He rejoices when we return to Him. Let us ask ourselves: Are we open to receiving His forgiveness? Are we willing to extend that same forgiveness and mercy to others? The readings remind us that reconciliation is not just a one-time event but a continuous process of turning back to God and living as new creations in Christ. May we embrace this call to renewal and reconciliation, trusting in the boundless love and mercy of our Heavenly Father.