Sunday of the Twenty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

September 14, 2019

Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

September 15, 2019

Exodus 32:7-11, 13-14

Psalm 51:3-4, 12-13, 17, 19

First Letter of Saint Paul to Timothy 1”12-17

Luke 15:1-32

Jesus:  Mission with a Passion

We have become familiar with “mission statements” which are produced by institutions of every kind.  These statements proclaim the purpose of the institution, what they are about, and what they’re supposed to do. 

The first letter to Timothy today unveils for us what we might refer to as Jesus’ “mission statement” which is, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.”  This is the purpose of His life, His reason for taking on our human flesh and living our life, the reason for His life’s work and, most especially, His death and resurrection in order to save sinners.  But how can we know His motivation, the disposition of His heart and the heart of His Father in carrying out this mission?  Friends, the parables presented in today’s Gospel answer that question.

Each parable in its own way reveals the very heart of God, the passion of God seen in Jesus and directed toward sinners.  The diligent searching of he shepherd for the lost sheep, the relentless looking of the woman for the lost coin find their greatest expression in the rejoicing that takes place at their finding.  This passionate searching and above all the rejoicing, Jesus says, is the passion and the rejoicing in the heart of His Father in regard to sinners.  And as to leave no doubt in our minds, the parable of the Prodigal Son reveals the One who saves sinners, who waits patiently and rejoices at the return of those who have gone astray. 

The scriptures invite us to imagine that we are the object of God’s search, that we are the recipients of the love of our Father in heaven.  We are invited to embrace the truth that we are the source of God’s joy when we allow ourselves to be found. 

Question of the Day: When you are lost will you find your way back to the Father? 

Prayer of the Day:  Dear Lord, You are my everything.  Make me love You above all in this world.  Grant that I may leave everything to find you.

Prosit!

 

 

 

 

Deacon Anthony J. Cincotta

Assistant Director for Retreat Ministry