Daily Readings - Sat Mar 22 2025
Micah
14Feed thy people with thy rod, the flock of thine heritage, which dwell solitarily in the wood, in the midst of Carmel: let them feed in Bashan and Gilead, as in the days of old.15According to the days of thy coming out of the land of Egypt will I shew unto him marvellous things.18Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy.19He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.20Thou wilt perform the truth to Jacob, and the mercy to Abraham, which thou hast sworn unto our fathers from the days of old.
Luke
1Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.2And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.3And he spake this parable unto them, saying,11And he said, A certain man had two sons:12And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.13And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.14And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.15And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.16And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.17And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!18I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,19And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.20And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.21And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.22But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:23And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:24For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.25Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing.26And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.27And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.28And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.29And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:30But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.31And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.32It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the boundless mercy and love of God, as well as the human experience of sin, repentance, and reconciliation. In the first reading from Micah, the prophet speaks of God’s compassion and faithfulness to His people, despite their sins. He describes God as a shepherd who guides and protects His flock, even when they wander. The passage emphasizes that God’s mercy is not limited by our failures but is instead a profound expression of His love and faithfulness. In the Gospel, Jesus tells the parable of the Prodigal Son, a powerful story of a father’s unwavering love and forgiveness. The younger son squanders his inheritance and falls into sin, but when he returns home in humility, the father welcomes him with open arms, celebrating his return with joy. This parable underscores the truth that God’s love is not conditional but is always ready to embrace those who turn to Him with a repentant heart.
Both readings highlight the theme of divine mercy and the call to trust in God’s love. In Micah, we see God’s promise to cast our sins “into the depths of the sea,” symbolizing the completeness of His forgiveness. In the Gospel, the father’s extravagant mercy toward his wayward son challenges us to rethink our understanding of love and forgiveness. The elder son’s resentment reminds us that we, too, can struggle with jealousy or self-righteousness when we see others being forgiven. Yet, the father’s response—“all that I have is yours”—reminds us that God’s love is not limited by our worthiness but is always abundant and generous.
These readings call us to reflect on our own relationship with God and with others. How do we respond when we recognize our own sinfulness? Do we approach God with the humility and trust of the Prodigal Son, or do we hold back, fearing judgment? Additionally, how do we extend God’s mercy to others? The father in the parable does not lecture or punish his son but instead showers him with love and restores him to his place in the family. This is a powerful reminder that we are called to be instruments of God’s mercy in the world, offering forgiveness and compassion to those around us. Let us ask for the grace to receive God’s love fully and to share it generously with others, just as the Father has shared it with us.