Homily

"Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well." [Lk. 17:19] Last week's readings spoke of living faith, a faith that shines in works. Today's readings speak of healing faith, a faith that embraces gratitude. For we are called to "Rejoice always, (to) pray without ceasing, (to) give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for (us)." [1 Thess. 5:16-8]

Today's First Reading [2 Kgs. 5:14-17] from the Second Book of Kings spoke of the healing of Naaman, a foreigner in the land of Israel. Naaman, the commander of the army of the king of Aram, was a great man and in high favour with his master, because by him the Lord had given victory to Aram. The man, though a mighty warrior, suffered from leprosy." [2 Kgs. 5:1]

On one of their raid in the land of Israel, the Arameans had taken a young girl captive. [2 Kgs. 5:2] This young girl served Naaman's wife. She told her mistress that if Naaman was with the prophet who is in Samaria, he would be cured of his leprosy. [2 Kgs. 5:3] Hearing of this, Naaman repeated this comment to the king of Aram. Consequently, the king of Aram told Naaman to go and that he would provide him with a letter to the king of Israel. Naaman left, taking with him a number of gifts to present to the king of Israel. [2 Kgs. 5:3-5]

When the king of Israel read the letter, he got very upset and tore his clothes. The letter said, "I have sent to you my servant Naaman, that you may cure him of his leprosy." [2 Kgs, 5:6] Somehow, the king of Aram believed that the king of Israel was a god. This greatly offended the king of Israel. Not understanding the true purpose for the letter, the king of Israel believed that the king of Aram was trying to pick a quarrel with him.

In the meantime, Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes. He sent a message to the king, asking him to let Naaman come to him so that he may learn that there is a prophet in Israel. [2 Kgs. 5:8] Taking his horses and chariots, Naaman went to Elisha. After he had halted at the entrance of Elisha's house, Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, "Go, wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored and you shall be clean." [2 Kgs. 5:9-10]

What followed was most interesting! How Elisha had decided to proceed with the healing did not please Naaman at all. Naaman expected Elisha to come out of his house, to stand before him, to call on the name of the Lord God, to wave his hand over the spot of the leprosy and he would suddenly be healed. [2 Kgs. 5:11]

From the tone of Naaman's voice, it was obvious that he believed things should have gone according to his way because of his greatness. He was a very proud man! Over and above this, he resented being told to wash in the Jordan river when in his opinion, the Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, were better than all the waters of Israel. He questioned why he could not have washed himself in those rivers. Naaman turned and went away in a rage. [2 Kgs. 5:12]

After awhile, some of the servants approached Naaman and asked him, "If the prophet had commanded you to do something difficult, would you not have done it?" [2 Kgs. 5:13] Therefore why not obey what Elisha asked of you that is so simple, to wash and be clean? And "so Naaman went down and immersed himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word of the man of God; his flesh was restored like the flesh of a young boy, and he was clean." [2 Kgs. 5:14] Naaman was made well by his faith in the Word of God that was spoken through the great prophet Elisha.

Following this, Naaman returned to Elisha, acknowledging that there is no greater God on earth except in Israel. And then he offered Elisha a present in thanksgiving but Elisha would not accept anything.

Consequently, Naaman asked permission to take two mule loads of soil from the land of Israel so he could take it back to Damascus and build an altar on it to worship in his city the true God. Having been touched by the grace of God, Naaman promised that he would never again make burnt offerings or sacrifices to any other gods except the true God of Israel.

From this reading, there are a few lessons to be learned. These are:

(1) When praying to God for a favour, we do not dictate to God how He should answer our prayers. For God knows what is best for the spiritual growth and personal sanctification of each and everyone of us. In God, we trust.

(2) In our personal daily relationship with God, there is no room for pride in obedience. Before Naaman could be healed, he had to humble himself. "For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted." [Lk. 14:14] When Naaman humbled himself, the glory of God was manifested through him.

(3) When Elisha refused to accept any gifts from Naaman in thanksgiving, he was practicing what the Lord Jesus preached eight centuries later. "Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. You received without payment; give without payment." [Mt. 10:8]

Today's Second Reading from the Second Letter of Paul to Timothy begins by saying, "Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David." [2 Tim. 2:8] The reason as to why St. Paul said that Jesus was a descendant of David, it was to emphasize the Messianic Kingship of Christ. [Rom. 1:3]

Paul continued by saying, ".. I suffer hardship, even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But the word of God is not chained." [2 Tim. 2:9] Through these words, Paul was telling those who would read his letter that although he is a prisoner, he can still preach the Word of God. The Good News can be delivered within the prison and to those outside from within the prison.

Not only has Paul's suffering encouraged him even more to persevere in preaching the Word of God, it has also motivated others to also do so. We read of this is the Letter of Paul to the Philippians. "I want you to know, beloved, that what has happened to me has actually helped to spread the Gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to everyone else that my imprisonment is for Christ; and most of the brothers and sisters, having been made confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, dare to speak the word with greater boldness and without fear." [Phil 1:12- 14]

Because of this marvellous end result, St. Paul was even more determined to persevere for the sake of those who have been called and who have answered their calling from God, so that they may also persevere to the end and obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. [2 Tim. 2:10]

Not only was the sufferings of Paul of value to those who had already become Christians, it was also of value to those who had not yet converted. [Col. 1:24; 2 Cor. 1:5-6]

Today's Second Reading concluded by saying, "The saying is sure: If we have died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he will also deny us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful - for he cannot deny himself." [2 Tim. 2:11-13]

This statement of Paul is a paraphrase of the Words of Jesus that are found in the Gospel of Matthew. "Everyone therefore who acknowledges Me before others, I also will acknowledge before My Father in Heaven; but whoever denies Me before others, I also will deny before My Father in Heaven." [Mt. 10:32-3]

In this part of his letter to Timothy, St. Paul was reminding the Christians that following the receiving of the Sacrament of Baptism, part of the Christian life experience includes physical sufferings and the dangers that are associated with spreading the Word of God. [1 Cor. 15:31; 2 Cor. 4:8-11]

Having died with Christ, our lives are hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life is revealed, then we also will be revealed with Him in glory. Therefore, we are called to put to death whatever is earthly in us, fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed which is idolatry. [Col. 3:3-5] Like Paul, we must want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the sharing of His sufferings by becoming like Jesus in His death. [Phil. 3:10] In the end, it shall be seen that what is sown is perishable, what is raised is imperishable. It is sown in dishonour, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. It is sown a physical body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a physical body, there is also a spiritual body." [1 Cor. 15:42-44].

Our perseverance in the living faith, in whatever the Lord God permits to come our way for our sanctification, will be our assurance of salvation. Our perseverance is one of the many ways of saying thanks to God for what He has given us. Because we believed, we obey Jesus. Because we obey Jesus in complete submission, we endure the trials that cross our daily path. Because we endure, in the end, our faith shall make us well." [Lk. 17:19]

During today's reading from Chapter 17 of the Gospel of Luke, [Lk. 17:11-19] we heard that Jesus healed ten lepers, nine being Jewish, the tenth being a Samaritan. It is interesting to note here that while the Jewish people normally did not mix with the Samaritans, misery so loves company that this group of lepers consisted of both Jews and a Samaritan. As we heard, out of those ten, the one who was a foreigner, was the only one who returned and thanked Jesus. Only ten percent of those who were healed showed gratitude. How offended the Lord Jesus must have been!

As a general rule, when a Jewish leper was healed, he had to go to the local priest to confirm that he was now clean and permitted to mix among the general public. For the Samaritan, more was demanded. Most likely, he had to go to his own priest near Mount Gerizim. This demand of Jesus required a greater act of obedience because of the travelling involved. While the demand was greater upon the Samaritan, he was the only one to show gratitude for the gift of healing that he received.

Today's readings provide us with an opportunity to reflect upon our own disposition during prayer. Do we beg God for a special favour but forget to show gratitude by giving thanks when our favour is obtained? Do we persevere in our prayers as Paul persevered in his sufferings? If praying while in a state of mortal sin and told by the priest to go and clean ourselves through the Sacrament of Confession so our prayer will be pleasing to the eyes of God, do we grumble, hesitate or even hardened our hearts?

Today's readings provide us with answers as to why some prayers are not answered. They teach us that we are healed when we show gratitude to God for the abundance of blessings that He has bestowed upon us from the moment that we were created.

This week, let us reflect upon the richness of the Word of God that we have heard today. Let us ask the Holy Spirit to always remind us to be most grateful to the Lord Jesus for His love, His grace, His mercy and His salvation. Let us all support one another to ensure that each and everyone of us will persevere until the end. Then we will hear the Words of Jesus in our hearts, "Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well." [Lk. 17:19]

Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reading 12 KGS 5:14-17

Naaman went down and plunged into the Jordan seven times
at the word of Elisha, the man of God. 
His flesh became again like the flesh of a little child,
and he was clean of his leprosy.

Naaman returned with his whole retinue to the man of God. 
On his arrival he stood before Elisha and said,
“Now I know that there is no God in all the earth,
except in Israel.
Please accept a gift from your servant.”

Elisha replied, “As the LORD lives whom I serve, I will not take it;”
and despite Naaman's urging, he still refused. 
Naaman said: “If you will not accept,
please let me, your servant, have two mule-loads of earth,
for I will no longer offer holocaust or sacrifice
to any other god except to the LORD.”

Responsorial PsalmPS 98:1, 2-3, 3-4

R. (cf. 2b) The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.
Sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done wondrous deeds;
his right hand has won victory for him,
his holy arm.
R. The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.
The LORD has made his salvation known:
in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice.
He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness
toward the house of Israel.
R. The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands:
break into song; sing praise.
R. The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.

Reading 22 TM 2:8-13

Beloved:
Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David:
such is my gospel, for which I am suffering,
even to the point of chains, like a criminal.
But the word of God is not chained.
Therefore, I bear with everything for the sake of those who are chosen,
so that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, 
together with eternal glory.
This saying is trustworthy:
If we have died with him
we shall also live with him;
if we persevere
we shall also reign with him.
But if we deny him
he will deny us.
If we are unfaithful
he remains faithful,
for he cannot deny himself.

Alleluia1 THESS 5:18

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
In all circumstances, give thanks,
for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GospelLK 17:11-19

As Jesus continued his journey to Jerusalem,
he traveled through Samaria and Galilee.
As he was entering a village, ten lepers met him.
They stood at a distance from him and raised their voices, saying,
“Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!”
And when he saw them, he said,
“Go show yourselves to the priests.”
As they were going they were cleansed. 
And one of them, realizing he had been healed,
returned, glorifying God in a loud voice;
and he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him. 
He was a Samaritan.
Jesus said in reply,
“Ten were cleansed, were they not?
Where are the other nine? 
Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?”
Then he said to him, “Stand up and go;
your faith has saved you.”

Prayers for Today

"Lord Jesus, may I never fail to recognize your loving kindness and mercy towards me. Fill my heart with compassion and thanksgiving, and free me from ingratitude and discontentment. Help me to count my blessings with a grateful heart and to give thanks in all circumstances."

Lord, I believe that you are present here as I turn to you in prayer. I trust and have confidence in your desire to give me every grace I need to receive today. Thank you for your love, thank you for your immense generosity toward me. I give you my life and my love in return.

Today's Homily

Good morning my brothers and sisters in Christ. Recently, I was reading a statement about the condition of the world. It stated:

"Ours is a time of religious decay; the permanent vitality of religion has been lost, the mass of the people have become either superstitious or credulous or indifferent to religion; the elite of society are agnostic or sceptical; the political leaders are hypocrites; the youth are in open conflict with established society and with the authority of the past; people are experimenting with eastern religions and techniques of meditation. The majority of mankind is affected by the decay of the times."

Does this sound familiar? While many may think that these words were written yesterday or possibly ten years ago, they are a quote from the "Annals of Tacitus (VI,7)." These words were written around 32-37 A.D., nearly two thousands years ago. How little society has changed for those who live without faith.

When a believer holds to the standard of sound teaching that he has heard from the Gospel of Christ, in the faith and love that are in Jesus, [2 Tim. 1:13] the vitality of his religion is not lost. He does not become superstitious, credulous or indifferent to his living faith in Christ. He is not agnostic or sceptical. He is not a hypocrite in what he does and in what he says. Nor is he in conflict with the established society and its authority. Being secured in his living faith in Christ, he does not need to experience with eastern religions and techniques of meditation. For he knows that the fullness of the truth is found in the Lord Jesus Christ.

During today's First Reading, we heard the prophet Habakkuk calling out to the Lord. Around 626 B.C., Habakkuk called out to the Lord because of the violence that surrounded him. Destruction, violence, strife, contention, these had become the norm of the day. Habakkuk was frustrated because the Lord was not taking control of the situation. He complained that the Lord God would not save the people. Does this sound familiar? Why did the Lord not take control of the situation? It is because He has given every human being a free will to choose right from wrong. God does not control the people. He does not force them to act against their free will.

As we sometimes have difficulty understanding why the Lord Jesus tolerates the wicked, Habakkuk had the same difficulty. Why Lord? Why do You let these things happen? Why do you permit misery... destruction... discord... conflicts...?

Responding to Habakkuk's cry to Heaven, the Lord God answered, "Write this vision; make it plain on tablets, so that a runner may read it." [Hab. 2:2]

Why did the Lord tell Habakkuk to write the vision? We find that answer in the Book of Isaiah where God says, "Go now, write it before them on a tablet, and inscribe it in a book, so that it may be for the time to come as a witness forever." [Is. 30:8] The Words of the Lord were not meant for Habakkuk alone. They had two other purposes. They were intended as a prophecy to be read in the future when its fulfillment had come to pass. And they were meant to be written large enough so that the runner may read the exact Words of God when he delivers them to the people.

In His message, God said, "For there is still a vision for the appointed time; it speaks of the end, and does not lie. If it seems to tarry, wait for it; it will surely come, it will not delay." [Hab. 2:3] In other words, God was saying, "Wait patiently for the last age that will come in about 600 years from now." The last age, or the end, is the time in which we now live. It is the time that had its beginning when Jesus instituted the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church on earth, the final day being when He gloriously returns with His angels on the last day of this world.

Then God concluded by saying, "Look at the proud! Their spirit is not right in them, but the righteous live by their faith." [Hab. 2:4] In other words, the man who is rash, he has no integrity. The wicked will come to a terrible end. But those who obey the commandments of God, they will live a long life. [Prov. 3:1-2] "The fear of the Lord prolongs life, but the years of the wicked will be short. The hope of the righteous ends in gladness, but the expectation of the wicked comes to nothing." [Prov. 10:27-8]

God said, "The righteous live by their faith." [Hab. 2:4; Rom. 1:17; Gal. 3:11; Heb. 10:38] The Words of God summarize the whole vision. What does it mean that the righteous will live by their faith? Does it mean that faith alone is sufficient for salvation? In the Letter of James, it states, "Faith without works is dead." [Jas. 2:26] "Faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead." [Jas. 2:17]

"These words, "The righteous live by their faith," were written in Hebrew. While there are a number of words in the Hebrew language that mean "faith," in this case, the translation came from the Hebrew word "emunah." This is a word that describes a just man, one who is faithful, loyal and steadfast, This Hebrew word is found in the Book of Exodus where it refers to the uplifted hands of Moses that were "steady." [Ex. 17:12] This same word is also found in 2 Kings where it refers to the men who could be entrusted with money. [2 Kgs. 12:15] The word "faith" as applied in the Book of Habakkuk refers to a living faith, a faith with actions, a faith with works. Therefore, it can only be concluded that faith without works is indeed dead.

"Faith is compounded of belief and love as well as of trust and confidence amid trials and tribulations." (The Jerome Biblical Commentary; page 297, # 39, 4b.)

Continuing on the subject of living faith, during today's Second Reading, Paul said to Timothy, "Hold to the standard of sound teaching that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus." [2 Tim. 1:13] In other words, in his preaching and personal conduct, Timothy was called to keep the truths that he had learned from Paul. How was Timothy called to keep the truth? In the faith and love that are in Jesus Christ. Why faith and love? Because faith and love cannot be separated.

Faith, hope and charity (love) are theological virtues. "They are the foundation of Christian moral activity; they animate it and give it its special character. They inform and give life to all the moral virtues. They are infused by God into the souls of the faithful to make them capable of acting as his children and of meriting eternal life. They are the pledge of the presence and action of the Holy Spirit in the faculties of the human being." [Catechism of the Catholic Church, # 1813]

Love is one of the fruit of the Holy Spirit. It cannot be separated from "joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control," [Gal. 5:22; NRSV] "modesty and chastity." (Gal. 5:22; Latin Vulgate)

"We are called to love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love." [1 Jn. 4:7-8]

How do we manifest our love towards others? First of all, in fulfillment of the commitment that we have made when we received the Sacrament of Baptism, we are called to evangelize to others through our holy words and our actions. We are called to be lights in the world so other may be drawn to Jesus Christ.

During today's Gospel Reading, we heard the apostles ask Jesus, "Increase our faith!" After explaining the power of faith that could move the mulberry tree, Jesus spoke of the slave. Why speak of the slave? Is there a connection here? Yes, there is!

Our faith is increased by our works that are manifested by the power of the Holy Spirit! Faith is increased by serving others, not by being served. Faith is increased when we manifest our love towards others, our family, friends and strangers. When we isolate ourselves from the world, we lose our faith.

Our faith increases when we grow in servitude. Why? Because in serving others, we become more in the likeness of Jesus who served when He washed the feet of His apostles. [Jn. 13:15] As we grow closer to Jesus in our daily personal relationship, we come to know His Divine Presence, His love, His mercy, etc... all of this leading towards unshakable faith.

True faith is unselfish. Living faith is unselfish faith. It seeks to give rather than receive. It seeks to obey God, not "me, I and myself." Unselfish faith is humble, not full of pride. It admits that "We are worthless slaves; we have done only what we ought to have done." [Lk. 17:10]

My brothers and sisters, a month ago, the world saw the fruit of those who had no living faith in Christ, mass destruction, violence, suicides, all what opposes the true love of God. You can be assured that those who were involved with these evil doers, they shall come to nothing... an eternal life of suffering in Hell. For the wrath of God will not escape the judgment of those who terrorize the innocent.

As we reflect upon these words, let us review what kind of faith that we have. Let us ask ourselves, "Do I have unselfish faith that will draw me to the loving heart of Jesus?" O, "Do I have a faith that places a barrier between Jesus and myself?" If there is a barrier that prevents you from growing in the love of Jesus, ask Jesus to remove it so you may blossom in your faith.

As we continue with the celebration of the Holy Mass, let us remember those who are in need of the gift of faith so that they may grow in the love of Jesus.

Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reading 1 Hab 1:2-3; 2:2-4

How long, O LORD? I cry for help
but you do not listen!
I cry out to you, “Violence!”
but you do not intervene.
Why do you let me see ruin;
why must I look at misery?
Destruction and violence are before me;
there is strife, and clamorous discord.
Then the LORD answered me and said:
Write down the vision clearly upon the tablets,
so that one can read it readily.
For the vision still has its time,
presses on to fulfillment, and will not disappoint;
if it delays, wait for it,
it will surely come, it will not be late.
The rash one has no integrity;
but the just one, because of his faith, shall live.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9

R. (8) If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
Come, let us sing joyfully to the LORD;
let us acclaim the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;
let us joyfully sing psalms to him.
R. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
Come, let us bow down in worship;
let us kneel before the LORD who made us.
For he is our God,
and we are the people he shepherds, the flock he guides.
R. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
Oh, that today you would hear his voice:
“Harden not your hearts as at Meribah,
as in the day of Massah in the desert,
Where your fathers tempted me;
they tested me though they had seen my works.”
R. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

Reading 2 2 Tm 1:6-8, 13-14

Beloved:
I remind you, to stir into flame
the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands.
For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice
but rather of power and love and self-control.
So do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord,
nor of me, a prisoner for his sake;
but bear your share of hardship for the gospel
with the strength that comes from God.

Take as your norm the sound words that you heard from me,
in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
Guard this rich trust with the help of the Holy Spirit
that dwells within us.

Alleluia 1 Pt 1:25

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The word of the Lord remains forever.
This is the word that has been proclaimed to you.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Lk 17:5-10

The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.”
The Lord replied,
“If you have faith the size of a mustard seed,
you would say to this mulberry tree,
‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.

“Who among you would say to your servant
who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field,
‘Come here immediately and take your place at table’?
Would he not rather say to him,
‘Prepare something for me to eat.
Put on your apron and wait on me while I eat and drink.
You may eat and drink when I am finished’?
Is he grateful to that servant because he did what was commanded?
So should it be with you.
When you have done all you have been commanded,
say, ‘We are unprofitable servants;
we have done what we were obliged to do.’”

Prayers for Today

"Lord Jesus, fill me with your consuming love and set my heart free to love generously and to serve selflessly. Fill me with gratitude for all you have done for me, and increase my faith and loyalty to you who are My All, My Strength, and My Life."

 

 Lord Jesus, you are the master of the universe, and yet you wish to listen to me and guide me. You know all things past, present and future, and yet you respect my freedom to choose you. Holy Trinity, you are completely happy and fulfilled on your own, and yet you have generously brought us into existence. You are our fulfillment. Thank you for the gift of yourself. I offer the littleness of myself in return, knowing you are pleased with what I have to give.

 

 Jesus, help me to place all my trust and faith in you. I don’t always trust, and this is when my fears and anxieties take over. I want to put these aside and place myself in your hands. In doing this I will be able to serve you better.

Homily for Today

"Fight the good fight of the faith." [1 Tim. 6:12] Welcome my brothers and sisters in Christ to today's celebration of the Holy Mass on the Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Today's message from the first and last readings is that the rich were self-centered, enjoying a life of luxury and insensitivity while the poor suffered around them. It would have been better if the rulers of Judah and Israel, and the rich man, had paid attention to St. Paul's message that we heard from the First Letter of Paul to Timothy, "Fight the good fight of the faith."

Today's First Reading from the Book of Amos [Amos 6:1-14] is the last of three woe that the Lord God promised to inflict upon Judah and Israel because of their evil deeds. These nations had rulers who were idle, insensitive to the need of the poor and lived in luxury. Accordingly, God said that they would be taken into exile.

History tells us that the rulers slept on extravagant beds that were inlaid with ivory panels. They ate the most costly food, including calves that had been raised on milk alone, this making the meat very tender. During meals, they listened to idle songs to the sound of the harp. In this environment of indolence (avoiding work), never mind drinking wine out of cup, they drank it out of bowls. Over and above all this, they anointed themselves with the finest oils.

These rulers were so insensitive that they did not even grieve over the ruin of Joseph. Here the reference to Joseph is not to a person but rather to a kingdom. Because Joseph was the ancestor of the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh, the members of these tribes were frequently called the "sons of Joseph," the "house of Joseph," or just "Joseph." Joseph, these tribes, had been destroyed and the rulers were totally indifferent to that fact.

Because of such unacceptable behaviours, the rulers were going to be captured and taken into exile. Their days of celebrating were coming to an end. In other words, the party was just about over!

The Gospel Reading has a similarity. Again we heard of luxury and insensitivity. The rich man lived like a king and was totally insensitive to the needs of Lazarus. The difference in the Gospel of Luke versus the Book of Amos is that in the former reading, we heard of the outcome of such behaviour. While the rich man may have been blessed with great luxury, he was only successful for a time. When he died, he could not take his luxury with him in the afterlife. None of his luxury could defend him against the judgment that awaited him. In fact, his luxury condemned him.

When Jesus related this story, His intent was to spiritually awaken the Pharisees who were fond of money. As Luke 16:14 tells us, they "heard all this, and they ridiculed Him." The Pharisees had elevated themselves to the extent that no one, not even Jesus, could correct them for their own salvation. They were beyond reproach!

Returning to the rich man and the poor man, in the days of Jesus, it was understood that Jewish landowner were Yahweh's tenants. [Lev. 25:23] The landowner owed "taxes" to God's representatives, these being the poor. And they were expected to share the land with them in the form of assistance. [Mic. 2:9; Is. 58:7; Neh. 5:1-19] Based on this custom, the rich man was obligated to take care of Lazarus, ensuring that his basic needs were met. But this was not happening.

The reason as to why dogs were hanging around the table is because when the guests were invited to a feast, they would use bread to wipe their plates or their hands and then toss it under the table. Naturally, this would draw the dogs who would clean up the floor by eating what had been dropped from the table. This is the food that Lazarus longed to have so he could survive.

The Gospel of Luke tells us that the poor man was not very healthy. He had sores that the dogs would come and lick. Obviously the poor man could not afford medication and the rich man refused to acknowledge his presence and his needs. And so the poor man died. Soon after, the rich man died.

The poor man was taken to Heaven by angels and the rich man was sent to Hades where he was tormented. What followed was the rich man's request to Abraham, that Lazarus be sent to him so he could dip the tip of his finger in water and cool his tongue, because he was in agony from the flames.

Abraham answered, "Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in agony." [Lk. 16:25]

These words remind me of the "Judgment of the Nations." Jesus said, "Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, etc..." [Mt. 25:34-5] "Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me." [Mt. 25:40] This is a very powerful statement! What the rich man did to Lazarus, he did it to Jesus!

Next, we heard that the rich man asked Abraham to send Lazarus to his father's house to warn his five brothers of the plight that awaited them if they continued to live as the rich man did. Abraham answered that his brothers had Moses and the prophets. In other words, they had the laws and the words of the prophets.

Equally today, we have the Words of Jesus and the teachings of the Holy Catholic Church that are continuously related to us through the ministers of the Word of God. As the rich man had plenty of opportunities to hear the truth, today, God's creations, within and without the Church, have all the necessary opportunities to hear the truth. Sending Lazarus back to earth in spirit form is not going to save anyone. Today, if someone was to see Lazarus, rather than listening to his message of salvation, they would ask him, "How did you do that?" Then they would try to reproduce the same result through scientific means so other souls can travel back and forth between Heaven and earth. They would miss the whole point!

All of this brings us to the Second Reading, the First Letter of Paul to Timothy. St. Paul begins today's reading by calling Timothy a "man of God." [1 Tim. 6:11] The title "man of God" was generally applied to the great figures in the Old Testament such as Moses and to the prophets. [Deut. 33:1; 1 Sam. 2:27; 1 Kgs. 12:22, 13:1, etc...] The application of this title most likely meant that Timothy was very dedicated to the service of God.

When St. Paul told Timothy to fight the good fight of the faith, he was stating two things. First of all, Paul compared the Christian faith to a race. We read of this in one of his letters where it states, "Do you not know that in a race the runners all compete, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win it. Athletes exercise self-control in all things; they do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable one. So I do not run aimlessly, nor do I box as though beating the air; but I punish my body and enslave it, so that after proclaiming to others I myself should not be disqualified." [1 Cor. 9:24-7]

Towards the end of his life, St. Paul added, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." [2 Tim. 4:7]

Secondly, St. Paul was reminding Timothy that at his baptism, he had made a profession of faith before many witnesses. Before God, the Church and the faithful, Timothy had an obligation to persevere in his faith to the end of the race.

Timothy was charged to keep the commandment without spot or blame. In other words, he was charged to protect the complete deposit, all the truths of the Catholic faith that had been entrusted to him.

Much more could be said about today's readings. But what has been said is sufficient for all of us to perceive that our Christian faith calls us to do two things. First of all, to persevere to the end. Secondly, to preserve the truths of the faith that have been entrusted to us at our baptism. And for us to preserve the truths of the faith, it becomes necessary for us to learn them prior to passing them on to others.

This week, let us commit some time to review how we can improve our knowledge of the Catholic faith so when we speak on behalf of the Church, we do so with sound doctrines. Some may chose to read the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Others may chose to read one or more Councils of the early Church. There are Encyclicals that can be reviewed. All of these are excellent tools that will richly increase our knowledge of the Catholic faith for the glory of God.

Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reading 1AM 6:1A, 4-7

Thus says the LORD the God of hosts:
Woe to the complacent in Zion!
Lying upon beds of ivory,
stretched comfortably on their couches,
they eat lambs taken from the flock,
and calves from the stall!
Improvising to the music of the harp,
like David, they devise their own accompaniment.
They drink wine from bowls
and anoint themselves with the best oils;
yet they are not made ill by the collapse of Joseph!
Therefore, now they shall be the first to go into exile,
and their wanton revelry shall be done away with.

Responsorial PsalmPS 146:7, 8-9, 9-10

R. (1b) Praise the Lord, my soul!
or:
R. Alleluia.
Blessed he who keeps faith forever,
secures justice for the oppressed,
gives food to the hungry.
The LORD sets captives free.
R. Praise the Lord, my soul!
or:
R. Alleluia.
The LORD gives sight to the blind.
The LORD raises up those who were bowed down;
the LORD loves the just.
The LORD protects strangers.
R. Praise the Lord, my soul!
or:
R. Alleluia.
The fatherless and the widow he sustains,
but the way of the wicked he thwarts.
The LORD shall reign forever;
your God, O Zion, through all generations. Alleluia.
R. Praise the Lord, my soul!
or:
R. Alleluia.

Reading 21 TM 6:11-16

But you, man of God, pursue righteousness,
devotion, faith, love, patience, and gentleness. 
Compete well for the faith. 
Lay hold of eternal life, to which you were called
when you made the noble confession in the presence of many witnesses.
I charge you before God, who gives life to all things,
and before Christ Jesus,
who gave testimony under Pontius Pilate for the noble confession,
to keep the commandment without stain or reproach
until the appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ
that the blessed and only ruler
will make manifest at the proper time,
the King of kings and Lord of lords,
who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light,
and whom no human being has seen or can see. 
To him be honor and eternal power. Amen.

AlleluiaCF. 2 COR 8:9

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Though our Lord Jesus Christ was rich, he became poor,
so that by his poverty you might become rich.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GospelLK 16:19-31

Jesus said to the Pharisees:
“There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen
and dined sumptuously each day.
And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores,
who would gladly have eaten his fill of the scraps
that fell from the rich man's table.
Dogs even used to come and lick his sores.
When the poor man died,
he was carried away by angels to the bosom of Abraham. 
The rich man also died and was buried,
and from the netherworld, where he was in torment,
he raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off
and Lazarus at his side.
And he cried out, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me. 
Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue,
for I am suffering torment in these flames.'
Abraham replied,
‘My child, remember that you received
what was good during your lifetime 
while Lazarus likewise received what was bad;
but now he is comforted here, whereas you are tormented.
Moreover, between us and you a great chasm is established
to prevent anyone from crossing who might wish to go
from our side to yours or from your side to ours.’
He said, ‘Then I beg you, father,
send him to my father’s house, for I have five brothers,
so that he may warn them,
lest they too come to this place of torment.'
But Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the prophets.
Let them listen to them.’
He said, ‘Oh no, father Abraham,
but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’
Then Abraham said, ‘If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, 
neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead.’”

Prayers for Today

"Lord Jesus, you are my joy and my treasure. Make me rich in the things of heaven and give me a generous heart  that I may freely share with others the spiritual and material treasures you have given to me."

In you, Lord, I find all my joy and happiness. How could I offend you by chasing after fleeting success and lifeless trophies? I believe in you because you are truth itself. I hope in you because you are faithful to your promises. I love you because you have loved me first. I am a sinner; nevertheless, you have given me so many blessings. I humbly thank you.

The Homily

Welcome my brothers and sisters in Christ to today's celebration of the Holy Mass on this beautiful Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Today's readings from the Holy Scriptures teach us that Jesus came into the world to save sinners. His message from the Heavenly Father was one of pure love and mercy.

During the First Reading from the Book of Exodus [Exo. 32:7-11, 13-14] that is found in the Old Testament, we heard that while Moses was on Mount Sinai talking to God, the Lord became very upset because His chosen people were acting perversely. They had casted for themselves an image of a calf, worshipped it and sacrificed to it, giving credit to the idol for bringing them out of slavery in the land of Egypt.

Greatly offended by the people for having turned away from the way that He had commanded them, God was prepared to destroy them all, indicating to Moses that He would make a great nation out of him alone. Hearing this, Moses implored God to have mercy on the sinful people, reminding Him of His promises to Abraham, Isaac and Israel. If the people is destroyed, God would have broken His promises to their forefathers. The new people would only be descendants of Moses.

Hearing the plea of Moses, God changed His mind and decided not to destroy the people as He had originally planned. As history tells us, the people continued to sin. Consequently, except for two men who remained faithful to God, He punished all six hundred thousand men, [Ex. 12:37] denying them entry into the promised land. [Numb. 14:20-24] Only their descendants received the promised land under the leadership of Joshua. [Jos. 1:1-2]

In Exodus 32:7, when God first spoke to Moses about the perversion of the people, He referred to them as "your people," and no longer as "My people." Here we perceive how God detaches Himself away from those who renounce Him, especially when the credit for the manifestation of Divine power is given to false gods.

While God has no second thought about separating Himself from sinners, in this case, it was because of the personal relationship that Moses enjoyed with God that the Lord showed mercy towards the people. God had that same kind of relationship with Abraham, Isaac and Israel. Because of His love for the prophets, God held back His Divine vengeance. Powerful is the intercession of those who live righteously on behalf of those who are unrighteous. It is the intercession of the righteous that draws the mercy of God.

In the days of the Old Testament, Moses, a sinner himself, mediated for the sinful people. Now, we have "one Mediator between God and humankind, Christ Jesus, Himself human, who gave Himself a ransom for all." [1 Tim. 2:5-6] "He is the Mediator of a better Covenant, which has been enacted through better promises. For if that first Covenant had been faultless, there would have been no need to look for a second one." [Heb. 8:6- 7]

There is an important lesson to learn from this reading. Frequently, it is heard that it is alright to sin because Jesus is all loving and merciful. He will forgive our sins. Based on what has just been said, had it not been for Moses, God would have destroyed His people. While Jesus is all loving and merciful, as our only Mediator before the Heavenly Father, will He defend those who voluntarily persist in sin? Did He not institute His Church, appointed its leader and handed over the keys of His Kingdom and its authority? Did He not institute the Sacraments and provided the people with a written record (the Holy Bible) of the spiritual laws by which they must live?

Therefore, as Mediator of mankind before the Heavenly Father, to some extent, is Jesus not bound by the Holy Catholic Church and its doctrines because of the promise that He has made regarding the keys to the Kingdom? If such is the case, while Jesus is our Mediator and will surely provide us with the best legal defence to secure our salvation, is His love and mercy not dependable upon our loyalty and obedience to the Holy Catholic Church?

During today's Second Reading from the First Letter of Paul to Timothy, [1 Tim. 1:12-17] we heard how the mercy of God sanctified St. Paul because he had a sincerity of heart. By the mercy of God, Paul, "formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a man of violence," [1 Tim. 1:12] was made "an example to those who would come to believe in (Jesus) for eternal life." [1 Tim. 12:16]

St. Paul began today's reading by expressing his gratefulness to Jesus for the call that he had received to preach the Gospel. He recognized that the grace of our Lord overflowed in him with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. [1 Tim. 1:14; Rom. 5:20]

Motivated by zeal to serve God, [Phil. 3:6; 2 Tim. 1:3; Acts 26:9] Paul had bitterly persecuted the Church [Acts 8:1-3] before receiving his calling. [Acts 9:3-6; 1 Cor. 15:8-10; Gal. 1:13-16] Because of the immense amount of suffering that he has created upon the Church, he possessed a large amount of gratitude towards Jesus for the mercy that had been shown toward him.

When Paul mentioned that "the grace of Our Lord overflowed for (him) with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus, he omitted the virtue of hope. This is because faith and love are primary virtues that identify the Christian. The virtues of faith and love are mentioned alone in other places in the Holy Bible. [Eph. 3:17, 6:23; Phlm. 5] In other instances, such as in 1 Thessalonians 1:3 and 1 Corinthians 13:13, all three virtues are mentioned together.

In verse 15 of the same Second Reading, Paul said "that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." [1 Tim. 1:15] This truth was affirmed by Jesus in the Gospel of Luke where I read, "For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost." [Lk. 19:10]

When St. Paul identified himself as the foremost of sinners, [1 Tim. 1:15] he was depicting humility. A similar passage is found in his Letter to the Ephesians where he said, "I am the very least of all the saints (Christians)." [Eph. 3:8]

When reviewing the first chapter of this Letter, it becomes obvious that Paul was telling his listeners that since he had been the greatest of sinners and yet, God has shown great mercy towards him, then this should be sufficient reasons for lesser sinners to convert. His conversion was the type of example that touches the heart and reason. There is no arguing that if God could show such great mercy towards St. Paul after all what he had done to the Church, therefore God would surely show equal mercy to other sinners who convert with a sincerity of heart.

Today's reading from the Gospel of Luke [Lk. 15:1-32] also speaks of the mercy of God. In this case, three parables are given to declare to magnitude of the mercy of God. These are the parables of the "Lost Sheep," [Lk. 15:3-7] of the "Lost Coin," [Lk. 15:8-10] and of the "Prodigal Son." [Lk. 15:11-32]

What brought about these parables is that the type of people who were coming to listen to Jesus, the tax collectors and sinners, drew criticism on the part of the Pharisees and the scribes. [Lk. 15:1] they were grumbling because Jesus welcomed sinners and ate with them. Poor Jesus, it did not matter what He did, there was always someone complaining about Him.

The first parable of the Lost Sheep that is found in two other Gospels [Mt. 18:12-14; Jn. 10:1-21] echoes the prophecy of Ezechiel regarding the incarnation of God. "For thus says the Lord God; I myself will search for my sheep, and will seek them out. As shepherds seek out their flock when they are among their scattered sheep, so I will seek out my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places to which they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness. I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries... I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured and I will strengthen the weak, but the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them with justice." [Ezek. 34:11- 16]

God incarnated in Jesus Christ did not come to save those who were already saved, but rather the sinners who needed to be saved.

The second Parable of the Lost Coin relates to us how valuable we are to God. As the woman greatly rejoiced when she found her lost coin, calling together her friends and neighbours, so it is in Heaven. When a soul has a change of heart and consequently receives its salvation through the grace of God that has been manifested through it, the angels rejoice in Heaven in the Presence of God. God has created so many angels that some of them must have been created just to sing Divine praises upon hearing that a soul has been saved. Alleluia!

The last parable of the Lost Son is also known as the parable of the "Prodigal Son." Again, we see the mercy of God at work in this example. The father had two sons and the youngest of the two wanted his share of the property so he could go and enjoy it. In those days, a father could abdicate before his death and divide his wealth if he chose to do so. [1 Kgs. 1-2; Sir. 33;19-23] So the father divided his property between his two sons. [Lk. 15:12]

Verse 13 tells us that after having travelled to a distant country, the youngest son squandered his property in dissolute living. [Lk. 15:13] In verse 30, the oldest son explains in clear terms how the property was squandered. The youngest son had wasted his property with prostitutes.

Then we heard that when the youngest son ran out of money, he turned to raising pigs and went hungry. At this point, seeing that the pigs were eating better than himself, the son must have stolen his food in order to survive. When his future looked hopeless, he experienced a change of heart. He decided to return to his father and admit to him that he had sinned against Heaven and his person. He was even prepared to be disown as a son and humble himself as a hired hand.

For the son to expect his father to show goodness towards him, he must have had fond memories of his father as a loving and caring man. After all, if his father had been an old grouch, the son would not have dared approach him, knowing that he never would have heard the end of his foolishness. But this was not the case. The love of the father had been instilled in the son, even before he had left or considered returning.

As we heard, the son returned home, the father welcomed him back and his brother resented the treatment that the father gave to his lost son. So upset was the older brother that when he spoke to his father, he would not even call him "father" as the younger son had done. (v. 21) When he spoke of his brother, he referred to him as "this one" instead of saying "my brother." (v. 30) Here we see a son, the oldest one, who thinks he is so holy and perfect while his brother is dirt in his eyes. Woe to those who judge! True holiness and perfection embraces love and mercy.

The Gospel Reading finished with the words, "this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found." [Lk. 15:32] Truly, I tell you, this younger brother was eternally lost until he came to his senses. Before that happened, he had to lose everything he had. That is good! Because had he remained rich to the day that he would have died, he would have gone straight to hell. By the grace of God, He was saved because of his poverty and his suffering. Through poverty and suffering, he experienced a change of heart and obtained the mercy of God.

Like all of the aforementioned, God's people in the days of Moses, St. Paul, the shepherd who lost one of his one hundred sheep, the lady who lost her coin and the father who lost his son, we all have a complete dependence on the mercy of God. Some of us may need more grace and mercy from God than others because we truly are greater sinners. But no matter how great a sinner one is, there is always time to turn back because Jesus came into the world to save sinners.

As we continue with the celebration of the Holy Mass, let us pray for those who have fallen away from the grace of God so that Divine mercy may reach out to them before it is too late. May their ears be opened so they will hear that Jesus is welcoming them back home.

Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reading 1EX 32:7-11, 13-14

The LORD said to Moses,
“Go down at once to your people,
whom you brought out of the land of Egypt,
for they have become depraved. 
They have soon turned aside from the way I pointed out to them,
making for themselves a molten calf and worshiping it,
sacrificing to it and crying out,
‘This is your God, O Israel,
who brought you out of the land of Egypt!’
“I see how stiff-necked this people is, ” continued the LORD to Moses.
Let me alone, then,
that my wrath may blaze up against them to consume them. 
Then I will make of you a great nation.”

But Moses implored the LORD, his God, saying,
“Why, O LORD, should your wrath blaze up against your own people,
whom you brought out of the land of Egypt
with such great power and with so strong a hand? 
Remember your servants Abraham, Isaac, and Israel,
and how you swore to them by your own self, saying,
‘I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky;
and all this land that I promised,
I will give your descendants as their perpetual heritage.’” 
So the LORD relented in the punishment
he had threatened to inflict on his people.

Responsorial PsalmPS 51:3-4, 12-13, 17, 19

R. (Lk 15:18) I will rise and go to my father.
Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness;
in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense.
Thoroughly wash me from my guilt
and of my sin cleanse me.
R. I will rise and go to my father.
A clean heart create for me, O God,
and a steadfast spirit renew within me.
Cast me not out from your presence,
and your Holy Spirit take not from me.
R. I will rise and go to my father.
O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.
My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit;
a heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.
R. I will rise and go to my father.

Reading 21 TM 1:12-17

Beloved:
I am grateful to him who has strengthened me, Christ Jesus our Lord,
because he considered me trustworthy
in appointing me to the ministry. 
I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and arrogant,
but I have been mercifully treated
because I acted out of ignorance in my unbelief. 
Indeed, the grace of our Lord has been abundant,
along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 
This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance:
Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. 
Of these I am the foremost. 
But for that reason I was mercifully treated,
so that in me, as the foremost,
Christ Jesus might display all his patience as an example
for those who would come to believe in him for everlasting life. 
To the king of ages, incorruptible, invisible, the only God,
honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

Alleluia2 COR 5:19

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ
and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GospelLK 15:1-32

Tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus,
but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying,
“This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” 
So to them he addressed this parable.
“What man among you having a hundred sheep and losing one of them
would not leave the ninety-nine in the desert
and go after the lost one until he finds it?
And when he does find it,
he sets it on his shoulders with great joy
and, upon his arrival home,
he calls together his friends and neighbors and says to them,
‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’
I tell you, in just the same way
there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents
than over ninety-nine righteous people
who have no need of repentance.

“Or what woman having ten coins and losing one
would not light a lamp and sweep the house,
searching carefully until she finds it?
And when she does find it,
she calls together her friends and neighbors
and says to them,
‘Rejoice with me because I have found the coin that I lost.’
In just the same way, I tell you,
there will be rejoicing among the angels of God
over one sinner who repents.”

Then he said, 
“A man had two sons, and the younger son said to his father,
‘Father give me the share of your estate that should come to me.’
So the father divided the property between them. 
After a few days, the younger son collected all his belongings
and set off to a distant country
where he squandered his inheritance on a life of dissipation. 
When he had freely spent everything,
a severe famine struck that country,
and he found himself in dire need. 
So he hired himself out to one of the local citizens
who sent him to his farm to tend the swine. 
And he longed to eat his fill of the pods on which the swine fed,
but nobody gave him any.
Coming to his senses he thought,
‘How many of my father’s hired workers
have more than enough food to eat,
but here am I, dying from hunger. 
I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him,
“Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 
I no longer deserve to be called your son;
treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers.”’
So he got up and went back to his father. 
While he was still a long way off,
his father caught sight of him,
and was filled with compassion. 
He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him. 
His son said to him,
‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you;
I no longer deserve to be called your son.’
But his father ordered his servants,
‘Quickly bring the finest robe and put it on him;
put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 
Take the fattened calf and slaughter it. 
Then let us celebrate with a feast,
because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again;
he was lost, and has been found.’
Then the celebration began. 
Now the older son had been out in the field
and, on his way back, as he neared the house,
he heard the sound of music and dancing. 
He called one of the servants and asked what this might mean. 
The servant said to him,
‘Your brother has returned
and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf
because he has him back safe and sound.’
He became angry,
and when he refused to enter the house,
his father came out and pleaded with him. 
He said to his father in reply,
‘Look, all these years I served you
and not once did I disobey your orders;
yet you never gave me even a young goat to feast on with my friends. But when your son returns,
who swallowed up your property with prostitutes,
for him you slaughter the fattened calf.’
He said to him,
‘My son, you are here with me always;
everything I have is yours. 
But now we must celebrate and rejoice,
because your brother was dead and has come to life again;
he was lost and has been found.’”

OrLK 15:1-10

Tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus,
but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying,
“This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” 
So to them he addressed this parable.
“What man among you having a hundred sheep and losing one of them
would not leave the ninety-nine in the desert
and go after the lost one until he finds it?
And when he does find it,
he sets it on his shoulders with great joy
and, upon his arrival home,
he calls together his friends and neighbors and says to them,
‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’
I tell you, in just the same way
there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents
than over ninety-nine righteous people
who have no need of repentance.

“Or what woman having ten coins and losing one
would not light a lamp and sweep the house,
searching carefully until she finds it?
And when she does find it,
she calls together her friends and neighbors
and says to them,
‘Rejoice with me because I have found the coin that I lost.’
In just the same way, I tell you,
there will be rejoicing among the angels of God
over one sinner who repents.”

Prayers for Today

"Lord Jesus, may your light dispel the darkness of sin, deception, and ignorance, so that all who are lost or confused may find their way to the Father's home and be united with him in a bond of peace and friendship. Transform my heart with your merciful love that I may point many others to the good news of joy and new life which you offer to all who put their trust in you, the Good Shepherd and Savior of the world." 

 Lord Jesus, I believe that you came into this world to redeem sinners. I hope in you, and in your power to transform my soul, by your grace, from sinfulness to holiness. Lord, I love you and offer you the longings of my heart to put you truly first in my life. I want to love you with all my mind, heart, soul and strength.