Twenty-Fourth Sunday In Ordinary Time (Year C)

Ex 32.7-11, 13-14;
Ps 50;
I Tim 1.12-17;
Lk 15.1-32

The theme of today’s readings is the mercy of God. In the first reading, just after the episode of the golden calf in the desert, we have the strong contrast between what Israel deserves – the blazing anger of the Lord; and what Israel actually gets – His tenderness and compassion. This event remained deeply imprinted on the Hebrew mind. Until then they had had no clear notion of the real nature of God. He was simply, and primitively, their family protector and national champion. This was their first real glimpse of God’s magnanimity. Henceforward the Lord was not just the one who would destroy their enemies. Now He was also the tender-hearted Father of Israel, who takes back His wayward children even when they have been behaving badly, very badly.

Today’s gospel begins with the Pharisees and scribes grumbling that Jesus “welcomes sinners and eats with them,” implying he condones the behavior of sinners.  For Jesus, however, table fellowship implies full communion with him. Their grumbling is the impetus for three parables that Jesus tells them – the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son and his father.  These parables share a common theme: that which was lost is now found, leading to boundless joy and celebration.  This is a joy that mirrors God’s joy when a sinner repents.The story of the prodigal son and father is arguably the most memorable of the three parables.  Moreover, it serves as a metaphor for the Eucharist and the life of the Church.

The father of the prodigal son is of course God Our Father. One telling detail in the story is that the Father does not wait for the repentant son to get all the way back before He forgives him. “While he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was moved with pity. He ran to the boy……” He ran to the boy down the horizon. God moves towards us quicker than we move towards Him. He does not wait for our contrition to be perfect before His grace starts to draw us back, however sheepishly, to true repentance. After the son’s act of contrition, the father’s only thought is to celebrate, that his son who was dead in sin has now been restored to life, the supernatural life of sanctifying grace. The son may have expected a stinging rebuke. But like the idolatrous Israelites in the wilderness, what he got was not wrath, but mercy and reconciliation.

Our response should be the response should reflect that of the prodigal son – conversion, that is a return from our disobedience, from the “far country,” our return of mind and heart to the Father.  In the conversion, we are reconciled to the Father and to one another.  There is more.  We are invited to the table, to celebrate with and to dine with the Lord. we are transformed in Christ when we receive the Bread of Life.

The Pharisees and scribes, like the angry son the parable, may grumble and refuse to join in the celebration.  But like the father and the indignant son, he will never stop inviting even them to the table.  Why?  Because God in Christ continues reconciling the world to himself.  And like the prodigal son robed in the finest, He robes us in new dignity for the celebration of the Eucharist. With the ring, we are reinstated back into royalty. With sandals to secure our feet, we are brought back as adopted sons and daughters. With arms as wide as the universe, God the Father is ready to embrace everyone with a loving welcome.  No exceptions.  God does not say you are welcome “if” you meet these standards.

We too are called to welcome others as we have been welcomed, and to forgive others as we have been forgiven.  We who were lost have been found.  It’s time to celebrate.

FR. Joseph