Daily Catholic Mass Readings for March 31, 2019
First Reading: Joshua 5.9a, 10-12
9Then the LORD said to Joshua, "Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you." So the place has been called Gilgal to this day.10On the evening of the fourteenth day of the month, while camped at Gilgal on the plains of Jericho, the Israelites celebrated the Passover.11The day after the Passover, that very day, they ate some of the produce of the land: unleavened bread and roasted grain.12The manna stopped the day after they ate this food from the land; there was no longer any manna for the Israelites, but that year they ate of the produce of Canaan.
Psalm 34
1I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.2My soul will boast in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice.3Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together.4I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.5Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.6This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles.7The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.8Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.9Fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing.10The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.11Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.12Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days,13keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies.14Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.15The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry;16the face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth.17The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.18The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.19A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all;20he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken.21Evil will slay the wicked; the foes of the righteous will be condemned.22The LORD redeems his servants; no one will be condemned who takes refuge in him.
Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 5.17-21
17Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!18All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:19that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.20We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God.21God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Gospel: Luke 15.1-3, 11-32
1Now the tax collectors and "sinners" were all gathering around to hear him.2But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them."3Then Jesus told them this parable:11Jesus continued: "There was a man who had two sons.12The younger one said to his father, 'Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided his property between them.13"Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living.14After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need.15So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs.16He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.17"When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death!18I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.19I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.'20So he got up and went to his father. "But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.21"The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. '22"But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.23Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate.24For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate.25"Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing.26So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on.27'Your brother has come,' he replied, 'and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.'28"The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him.29But he answered his father, 'Look! All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends.30But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!'31"'My son,' the father said, 'you are always with me, and everything I have is yours.32But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.'"
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of renewal, reconciliation, and the boundless love of God. In the first reading from Joshua, we see the Israelites celebrating the Passover in the Promised Land, marking their transition from a life of slavery in Egypt to a life of freedom and covenant with God. This moment signifies not only a geographical change but also a spiritual one, as they leave behind the manna of the wilderness and begin to eat the fruit of the land, symbolizing their new relationship with God.
In the second reading from 2 Corinthians, St. Paul emphasizes the transformative power of God’s grace. He writes that in Christ, we are made new, and the old has passed away. This newness is not just a personal transformation but also a call to participate in the ministry of reconciliation. God has entrusted us with the message of reconciliation, and we are called to be ambassadors for Christ, inviting others to return to God. This reading reminds us that our faith is not just about personal salvation but also about being instruments of God’s love and mercy in the world.
The Gospel from Luke presents one of the most iconic parables of Jesus, the story of the Prodigal Son. This parable is a profound expression of God’s mercy and love. The younger son, who squanders his inheritance and hits rock bottom, returns home in humility, expecting only to be treated as a servant. Yet, the father’s response is one of unbounded compassion and forgiveness. He runs to meet his son, embraces him, and celebrates his return. This parable teaches us that God’s love is not conditional; it is not based on our worthiness but on His infinite mercy. The elder son’s resentment, on the other hand, reminds us that we must also learn to forgive and rejoice in the goodness of God, even when others receive His mercy.
These readings together call us to reflect on our own relationship with God and with others. Are we open to the newness of life that God offers us? Are we willing to let go of the past and embrace the present moment as an opportunity for renewal? The story of the Prodigal Son challenges us to examine our hearts: do we approach God with the humility and trust of the younger son, or do we harbor the resentment of the elder son?
In our daily lives, we are called to live as ambassadors of reconciliation, sharing the Good News of God’s love and mercy with others. This means being open to conversion, seeking forgiveness when we fail, and extending forgiveness to those who wrong us. Let us ask ourselves: Where do I need to experience renewal in my life? How can I be an instrument of God’s love and reconciliation in my family, community, and world?
The moral lesson of today’s readings is clear: God’s love is always greater than our sin, and His mercy is always available to us. Let us turn to Him with humble hearts, trusting in His boundless love and allowing Him to make us new. As we do so, may we also become bearers of His love and forgiveness to a world in need of reconciliation.