Homily, 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Readings: Ex 32:7-11, 13-14; 1 Tm 1:12-17; Lk 15:1-32

Dear friends, the readings on the 24^th Sunday of the Year focus on the personal, passionate, and merciful love of God which should fill us with unending gratitude to Him. This gratitude is the fuel, if you will, that keeps ourTwenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time | USCCB rolling along.
 
In the Second Reading, from St. Paul’s letter to Timothy, we find a grateful Paul who says of himself, “I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and arrogant, but I have been mercifully treated.” St. Paul is aware of the sins he has committed. But this does not hold him back from ministry. Rather, it makes him even more grateful to be God’s steward. How encouraging to know that this is true for us as well. Our past sins, and even our present struggles, do not disqualify us from being God’s grateful stewards. 

In the Gospel reading, Jesus gives us several poignant illustrations of His merciful love. The Gospel passage begins with several people criticizing Jesus, upon seeing him in the company of tax collectors and sinners. They scornfully say: “This man receives sinners and eats with them”. In reality, this statement turns out to be a wonderful announcement. Jesus welcomes sinners and eats with them. It is what happens to us at every Mass, in every Church: Jesus is happy to welcome us to his table where he offers himself for us. Pope Francis once pointed out that a statement, we could inscribe on Church doors is: “Here Jesus welcomes sinners and invites them to his table”.

In response to those who were criticizing him, Jesus tells three important parables that reveal his preference for those who feel distant from him.  The first parable says: “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost, until he finds it?” What man of you? The logical response is no one! It simply does not make sense to spend time and energy searching for one lost sheep when there are so many others to tend to. But God’s logic; God’s mercy defies human logic. God precisely cherishes everyone (all of us) - you who are unable to overcome your sin; you who, perhaps due to the bad things that have happened in your life, do not believe in love.

In the second parable, you are that small coin that the Lord does not accept losing, and he searches relentlessly. He wants to tell you that you are precious in his eyes, that you are unique. No one can replace you in God’s heart.  And in the third parable, God is the father who awaits the return of his prodigal son. God always awaits us. You are that son embraced once again, that rediscovered coin, that sheep caressed and put back upon his shoulder.

Sadly, this infinite love of God for us sinners can be rejected. It is what the elder son in the parable does. He presumes he has been betrayed and he judges everything on the basis of his concept of justice. This is also a risk for us: to believe in a more rigorous than merciful God, a God who defeats evil with power rather than with forgiveness. God saves with love, not with force: offering himself, not imposing himself. But just as the readings encourage us to accept the mercy of God, they also challenge us to extend God’s mercy to others.

Like both brothers in the parable, we all sin and fall short of God’s grace; yet like the brothers, we also have a Father who loves and welcomes us whenever we seek to turn back. Both brothers could speak to their Father – in either humility or anger – and the Father responds to both with tenderness.

The message of God's attitude towards sinners gives us the secret to the sacrament of Reconciliation. Many people tend to see confession as something unpleasant and they avoid it. But think about that for a minute. Have you ever gone to confession and felt worse afterwards than you did before? God longs to welcome us back, and when we can humbly embrace our mistakes and sins, we discover a grace beyond anything imaginable. 

May we have the courage to examine our hearts and return to the Lord – the source of all mercy.

It is 21 years today since the tragic events of 9/11. Years have gone by, but the memories remain for all who were involved in that one single day and its aftermath that changed the lives of so many and of the world. May we continue to pray for true peace knowing that that no man, no group, no ideology can ever rob us of our freedom to believe in Christ, to hope in Christ, to forgive in Christ and to live in Christ. At the end of mass, there will be an update on the New Facilities and don’t forget to take with you the State of Parish Report.