Daily Readings - Sat Mar 11 2023
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 compassion of God. In the first reading from Micah, we hear a beautiful expression of trust in God’s faithfulness. The prophet describes God as a shepherd who guides His people with care, even in times of difficulty. He reminds us that God’s mercy is not limited by our failures but is instead a constant source of hope and renewal. The passage concludes with a promise: God will cast our sins into the depths of the sea, a powerful image of forgiveness and new beginnings.
In the Gospel, Jesus tells the parable of the Prodigal Son, a story that has become a cornerstone of Christian teaching on mercy. The younger son, who squanders his inheritance and hits rock bottom, decides to return to his father, expecting only to be treated as a servant. Instead, he is met with overwhelming love and generosity. The father’s reaction—running to embrace his son, clothing him in the best robe, and celebrating his return—reveals the heart of God. The elder son’s resentment, on the other hand, reminds us that receiving mercy can sometimes be as challenging as offering it. The parable ends with an invitation to rejoice in the restoration of what was lost, a theme that ties back to Micah’s promise of God’s enduring faithfulness.
These readings remind us that God’s mercy is not something we earn but something we receive with humility and gratitude. In our daily lives, we are called to approach God with the same trust as the Prodigal Son, knowing that no sin or failure can separate us from His love. At the same time, we are challenged to extend that same mercy to others, just as the father in the parable did. Let us ask ourselves: Where do we need to receive God’s mercy more fully? And where can we be instruments of His mercy to those around us? The Good News is clear: God’s compassion is infinite, and His forgiveness is always available. Let us live in the freedom and joy of being His beloved children.