The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to assess the limits we place in our response with mercy to the people and situations that bring us an opportunity to extend grace to others.
The Reading from the Prophet Micah is a prayer that God will care for the people as in ancient days.
* [7:14–17] A prayer that God will care for the people as in ancient days (v. 14) is answered (vv. 15–17) when the Lord promises to do marvelous things. The nations shall be afraid and turn to the Lord.
* [7:18–20] The final lines of the book contain a hymn of praise for the incomparable God, who pardons sin and delights in mercy. Thus the remnant, those left after the exile, is confident in God’s compassion and in the ancient promises sworn to the ancestors. (Micah, CHAPTER 7 | USCCB, n.d.)
Psalm 103 praises God for personal benefits and mercy toward all the people.
* [Psalm 103] The speaker in this hymn begins by praising God for personal benefits (Ps 103:1–5), then moves on to God’s mercy toward all the people (Ps 103:6–18). Even sin cannot destroy that mercy (Ps 103:11–13), for the eternal God is well aware of the people’s human fragility (Ps 103:14–18). The psalmist invites the heavenly beings to join in praise (Ps 103:19–22). (Psalms, PSALM 103 | USCCB, n.d.)
The Gospel of Luke presents The Parable of the Lost Son.
* [15:1–32] To the parable of the lost sheep (Lk 15:1–7) that Luke shares with Matthew (Mt 18:12–14), Luke adds two parables (the lost coin, Lk 15:8–10; the prodigal son, Lk 15:11–32) from his own special tradition to illustrate Jesus’ particular concern for the lost and God’s love for the repentant sinner. (Luke, CHAPTER 15 | USCCB, n.d.)
Carol Zuegner comments that too often, she judges herself and others by making comparisons and ranking who is best and who needs work. Who is deserving and who is not. God loves each of us for the person we are right now, with our warts, our sins, our challenges. The road to forgiveness is always there, as it was for the prodigal son. Even if we get lost along the way, we can still find our way back. The door is open.
I often feel that I don’t measure up, that I am broken, but I am reminded that God wants me to come as I am. The door is open, and love is always there. I know God wants me to feel that love and then pass that along. To be the older brother and celebrate the return of the prodigal son. I know I will still struggle with the what-about-me, but I can work on letting go of those comparisons and rankings. I pray that my heart can be open and loving, to celebrate others as I know God the Father celebrates me. (Zuegner, n.d.)
Don Schwager quotes “Life through death,” by Augustine, Bishop of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.
"Did you make it possible for yourselves to merit God's mercy because you turned back to him? If you hadn't been called by God, what could you have done to turn back? Didn't the very One Who called you when you were opposed to Him make it possible for you to turn back? Don't claim your conversion as your own doing. Unless He had called you when you were running away from Him, you would not have been able to turn back." (Commentary on Psalm 84, 8) (Schwager, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments that in Micah the idea is presented that Israel will be able to shepherd flocks in the lands of the pagans as a restoration. The strength of God is measured in forgiveness and compassion. These are not weak virtues but require strength especially when undeserved. The idea of sin as contagion is held among the religious leaders of Israel and Jesus tells of the “Prodigal”, meaning generous, father who has compassion as one who undeservedly forgives. Consider the rudeness of seeking inheritance before the father dies. Friar Jude wonders when the son goes to father to ask for forgiveness, is he really sorry or is he seeking food from the father? Jewish custom would have allowed the father to be less forgiving but the father is waiting to forgive in true mercy without evidence of true contrition. The elder brother is upset and maybe self-interested in his diminishing inheritance. Friar Jude reminds us that God rejoices when sinners return. He is just waiting like the Prodigal Father.
The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 15:1-3, 11-32 invites us to look again at the father. Yes, he embraces his long-lost son and throws a party for him. But right away he notices his other son’s absence and goes looking for him. He pleads with him to join the celebration. He listens patiently as the son expresses his anger and disgust. But then he urges him to soften his heart. He assures him, “You are here with me always; everything I have is yours” (Luke 15:31). He insists on speaking of his younger son as “your brother” (15:32), urging his older son to seize the good and join the joy.
Whether you identify with the older son or the younger son, God is inviting you to come to him and join the feast at his table. Whether you’ve wandered far from your heavenly Father and are returning or you have served him for years, he is inviting you to join him in the rejoicing.
“Father, thank you for your grace and mercy. Where would I be without it?” (Meditation on Luke 15:1-3, 11-32, n.d.)
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces writer and activist adrienne maree brown who connects our ability to practice restorative justice to our individual capacity for resilience in the face of harm. We cannot practice collectively what we have not practiced in our own lives and personal relationships.
Your work is to break the cycle of punishment in any room you hold….
Restoration can be a transformative, healing act in a community…. Transformative justice is a way of moving into accountability, deepening relationship, clarifying boundaries, and opening the way for more collective possibilities….
Practice transformative justice in your closest relationships. Choose patience, communication, mediation, curiosity, boundaries, and uprooting harm over cancellation, public humiliation, ghosting people, or other methods of disposing of people. The more you practice it personally, the more you will be able to support others through it politically and collectively. (Rohr, 2026)
We seek the understanding of the Spirit to process the frequent response that contradicts Jesus' Way, demonstrated by the father of the sons, with an attitude that we get what we deserve in our wandering away from acceptable behaviour.
References
Luke, CHAPTER 15 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved March 7, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/15?1
Meditation on Luke 15:1-3, 11-32. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved March 7, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/03/07/1513881/
Micah, CHAPTER 7 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved March 7, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/micah/7?14
Psalms, PSALM 103 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved March 7, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/103?
Rohr, R. (2026, March 6). An All-Embracing Love — Center for Action and Contemplation. CAC.org. Retrieved March 7, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/an-all-embracing-love/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Father, I Have Sinned against Heaven and You. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved March 7, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/
Zuegner, C. (n.d.). Daily Reflection. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved March 7, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-march-7-2026
No comments:
Post a Comment