Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time : Our Direction in life

Reading 1

EX 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 Psalm

PS 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 2

1 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.

Gospel

LK 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 d

ead and has come to life again;
he was lost and has been found.’”

Theme for reflection:    Our Direction in life

Scripture exegete's will always affirm that we need to read the scripture in context.

What they say is true; we should do exactly that and  yet may remain ever fossilized in the context, as many would normally tend to do.

There is a great need to apply the message to our situation and our context too and learn from it or else we would be waking up to a serious blunder.

We may even end up judging scriptural characters while reading the judgments mentioned against them.

Likewise, while analyzing the scripture we cannot be distancing ourselves from the behavior patterns of these people who were against the truth and against the instructions of God.

We could be even worse than them and there is an urgent need to sincerely seek God and ask him to judge us too, by asking him to search our hearts and minds for those sinful ways which we normally tend to be blind to, if left to our own.

Some of us tend to get a relapsed bout of attack and our condition of blindness becomes worse than what it was before.

We could become so blind that, if at any time we have any realization of sin then it is according to the measure of the guilt, shame or embarrassment that we suffer from and not by the measure of the holiness of God or by the measure of his revealed laws.

How blessed is the man, if he, like St. Paul arrived at a realization with God's help as he does here: He was well versed with the revealed laws, and yet could acknowledge thus: “I acted out of ignorance in my unbelief.”  (vs. 13)

On the other hand we see in the gospel a similar situation of hardening; on the one hand the tax collectors and sinners were turning to Jesus and on the other hand the Pharisees and the scribes were pushing themselves, more and more, away from Jesus.

Thus they were testing God’s patience towards them by moving more and more towards blindness.  It is like the cataract getting hardened and worse, before it is too late and one has to operate it, only to be discarded.

How else can one explain the complaint which God has concerning his own people, who have experienced his mighty power with signs and wonders and yet gone astray?

The reference is definitely his own people and in the present context, the Christian community.

“They have become depraved. They have soon turned aside from the way I pointed out to them.” (vss. 7b-8a)

God be speaking these words to each one of us today as we listen to the readings of today? (repeating)

“They have become depraved. They have soon turned aside from the way I pointed out to them.” (vss. 7b-8a)

The parable of the prodigal son is a story that points to two of the most important things about us:

      1)      Our tendency to take the things of God for granted and to be blind to the richness that is in him and even moving further and further away from him, while some even imagining themselves as being close to him.  

      2)      That there is still hope in him, if only we could acknowledge our sinful ways and thinking, and not go only by our subjective conscience but by the objective call of God and turn to him.  

Then will God, in his great mercy, rejoice over us and shower us with his abundant love, as seen in the parable of the prodigal son.

If we do not know, how to go about it then the Psalm (51) of today is a beautiful prayer and reminder, which we could often and daily recite, with meaning and help from God in order to come closer to God and to be guided by his Holy Spirit and grace.

Or else we could be participating in every sacramental grace and pious devotions and yet be far removed from our God and his ways.

Some additional scripture verses for reflection and use:

The fool says in his heart, "There is no God."

They are corrupt, doing abominable iniquity; there is none that does good.

God looks down from heaven upon the sons of men to see if there are any that are wise, that seek after God.

They have all fallen away; they are all alike depraved; there is none that does good, no, not one.

Have those who work evil no understanding, who eat up my people as they eat bread, and do not call upon God? Ps 53:1-4

    

Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!  And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting! Ps 139:23-24

    

Nevertheless I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8 And when he comes, he will convince the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment:  concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; John 16:7-9

God’s Children

Today’s Gospel Text:  And Sad'ducees came to him, who say that there is no resurrection; and they asked him a question, saying, 19 "Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man's brother dies and leaves a wife, but leaves no child, the man must take the wife, and raise up children for his brother. 20 There were seven brothers; the first took a wife, and when he died left no children; 21 and the second took her, and died, leaving no children; and the third likewise; 22 and the seven left no children. Last of all the woman also died. 23 In the resurrection whose wife will she be? For the seven had her as wife." 24 Jesus said to them, "Is not this why you are wrong, that you know neither the scriptures nor the power of God? 25 For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. 26 And as for the dead being raised, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the passage about the bush, how God said to him, 'I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'? 27 He is not God of the dead, but of the living; you are quite wrong." Mark 12:18-27

Reflection: I find the first part of the question rather interesting: "Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man's brother dies and leaves a wife, but leaves no child, the man must take the wife, and raise up children for his brother.” (vs. 19)

Why does an Israelite need to raise up children for his dead brother and that too through his wife?

Could one of the goals of marriage be to raise up children by mortal men so as to carry forward the name and race?

This indeed seems to be the behavior pattern of a typical tribal society, which valued children as ones who will carry forward the name of the family. 

But what comes across still more powerfully is the unitive nature of marriage; widowed wife is still one with the her husband, 

It also brings to the forefront the role of a woman, in keeping with her physiology, to bring forth life into the world.

Could this be flowing from the inner compulsions in the many to carry forward the name of the family; a desire for eternity, either by way of achieving it in person or by name, fame or memory.

This very reason, we humans have great desires to create records and history and have ones name etched out in the memory of peoples and nations.  The society welcomes such achievements and sees its own good in that.

But Christ Jesus gives us a different example in this: he gave his very self as a living and perfect sacrifice, humble and lowly, enduring the greatest hardship and pain.

In memory thereof he gave us the bread and wine, the body and blood, soul and divinity as a memorial offering, so that we may eternally benefit from it.

This memorial offering of Christ Jesus transforms us into his image and likeness and is a sure guarantee of eternal life.

It makes us children of the eternal Father, thus Jesus raises us up as children of the Father; who in return  glorify his name here on earth, as lights of the world. 

Prayer: O God you are our eternal Father through Jesus Christ and we are your children in faith.

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Know God

Today’s Gospel Text:  Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me. 7 If you had known me, you would have known my Father also; henceforth you know him and have seen him." 8 Philip said to him, "Lord, show us the Father, and we shall be satisfied." 9 Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and yet you do not know me, Philip? He who has seen me has seen the Father; how can you say, 'Show us the Father'? 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. 11 Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father in me; or else believe me for the sake of the works themselves. 12 "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I go to the Father. 13 Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it, that the Father may be glorified in the Son; 14 if you ask anything in my name, I will do it. John 14:6-14

  

Reflection: Man’s search for God can throw up volumes of researched materials and that's what religion is all about. 

What is it that makes us search for the divinity or even the the divine presence in creation? Is it the human insecurities or is it because there is a divine spark in all of us that prompts us to seek him.

Or could it be the human reason which refuses to believe the big-bang on account of its inherent flaws or could be reason seeing cause for the great movements in creation, the natural and moral laws that govern creation and the occasional spurt by way of calamities.

For some the divine could be a charm for material gain, which ultimately is of far more importance to supply their many wants for fragile happiness and or for self-gratification.

Or could it be the desire to live for all eternity the reason for seeking the divine and yet the Scripture reminds us of the contradictory pulls in the heart of man:

    

“He has made everything beautiful in its time; also he has put eternity into man's mind, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.”  Eccl 3:11

Whatever be the reason, the gospel text teaches us that, in Christ Jesus is the beginning and end of all searches for the divine:  “If you had known me, you would have known my Father also.” (vs. 7)

Thus we can also conclude: God fully reveals himself in Christ Jesus and we apart from Jesus, our search for God can only lead us round in circles.

It is Jesus who makes it clear to us that we are under the cloud of deception and that apart from him we can do nothing. It is he who came to destroy the work of the evil one so that we could be under the righteous reign of the God who saves.

Prayer:  "Lord, show us the Father, and we shall be satisfied." (vs. 8)

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us

DO

Today’s Gospel Text:  "Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For every one who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 9 Or what man of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? 11 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him! 12 So whatever you wish that men would do to you, do so to them; for this is the law and the prophets. Matt 7:7-12

Reflection: Sometimes the laws seem so complicated and sometimes they sound as simple as it can be.

What can we say about the golden or ethical rule of reciprocity: “Do unto others what you want others to do to you.” (vs. 12). It is so very simple, at least at a surface level: 

·          (Positively): One should treat others as one would like others to treat oneself.

·         (Negatively): One should not treat others in ways that one would not like to be treated.

Is Jesus the only one to talk about this universal rule? No, according to experts almost all religions talk about this rule.  Some on the basis of this commonality conclude that all religions must be the same as they all teach respect for men. 

In the overall Christian sense if this rule is interpreted by Christians outside its Christian mileu then it can only lead one into an heretical blunder.

Lets analyze this statement in the light of the gospel and see if they mean the same in the various context in which it exists.

What do you want men to do you? For a Christian the answer is plain and simple: NOTHING

A Christian in the service of Christ would not want men to serve them and their personal self-interests but since they have devoted themselves to Christ and made themselves exclusive servants of the gospel they would want men to serve the gospel rather than serve themselves.

In other words I would prefer that if any man wants to do anything for me then let him do it for me by serving Christ or giving his life over to him because to glorify Christ is my happiness and joy.

This in reality means seeking the highest good for all men everywhere and this highest good we can achieve for all men, is by leading them to the truth of the gospel of Christ Jesus, the savior who came to redeem us, by the sacrifice of the Cross.

Thus the only thing I seek from others, is that they seek the truth of Christ and know him and his love for them. In the light of this, every other interests takes second place. 

Prayer: Lord, grant me the wisdom to have the right interpretation of your law always before me, especially in this age of deception.

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us