Daily Readings - Sun Mar 31 2019
Joshua
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.
2 Corinthians
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.
Luke
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.