Readings for Sunday: Exodus 32:7-11, 13-14; 1Timothy 1:12-17; Luke 15:1-32

“A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn” Psalm 51:19

As I was beginning last summer to set up housekeeping in my mother’s home in Wisconsin (our summer retirement home, thanks to the generosity of my brothers and sister who are co-owners), I found this picture of the Good Shepherd in the basement. I am sure it was brought over from our family homestead that is about a mile away from where my mother spent the last 40 years of her life. I do not remember it being hung in our home, but it is a reminder of the central role that our Catholic faith played in our family. It is also a great reminder of today’s gospel reading. How often do we find ourselves being ‘lost sheep’, wandering away from our central relationship with Jesus, the Good Shepherd?

The readings for this Sunday emphasize relationship: Moses’ with God our Father, Paul with Jesus our Savior, and Jesus with the local scribes and Pharisees.

In the 32nd chapter of Exodus, we see the relationship between Moses and God has matured. As I read the passage, I thought, how audacious Moses is in his conversation with our Creator! He appeals to God’s sense of fatherhood towards the people He has led out of slavery. And no matter how stiff-necked these wayward people are, they are HIS. It’s almost as if God needs a reminder that no matter His anger, He continues to be His ‘faithful self’. And Moses is then the recipient of the promises God has made to Abraham: “I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky” (32:13) Moses’ conversation with God is a reminder to me that my prayer time spent with God is a time for honest reflection, seeking a depth of conversation that moves beyond the surface.

In Paul’s letter to Timothy he witnesses to the abundance of mercy that Jesus has shown to him, a former blasphemer and persecutor. He ‘owns’ the attitude of arrogance that was his former self. Paul’s humble witness to the love Jesus has for him, is an important reminder to me that my frequent prayer for a humble heart is a worthy one.

The Gospel for this Sunday is a familiar one. The Pharisees and scribes are once again railing against this Nazorean rabbi who has adopted unusual dinner companions. Rather than steering clear of the unclean sinners, Jesus seeks them out and shares table fellowship with them. Then using the parable method of teaching he gives the Pharisees the examples of how ordinary women and men seek out the lost. Those who have little can show us the value of the smallest gifts that God has entrusted to us.

Honest prayer, Gratitude and Humility ~ foundational attitudes for those of us who seek to follow Jesus.

Questions for Sunday Dismissal or Faith Sharing

• What image, word or insight do you want to remember from today’s Readings?

• All three Readings this week use God’s unmatched mercy as a central tenet in understanding who God is.  Reflect on an instance in your own life where you have been shown mercy for an omission or act that harmed someone.  What were some of the results of that mercy being shown to you?

•  Where is your ‘growing edge’ when you think about acting with mercy?  What people, events, situations seem to be most difficult for you to embrace as the Loving Father embraced his sons?

**** The Full Gospel for the 24th Sunday includes the Prodigal Father. I will post some additional thoughts on this rich story at a later time.