Grace and Mercy

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. 

"While still a long way off"

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 

Ambassadors of Reconciliation

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today proclaim the life-giving mission of ambassadors of Christ to restore love and community in situations of rejection and dismissal.

Restore Relationship

The reading from the Prophet Joshua celebrates the Passover at Gilgal.

* [5:10] The month: the first month of the year, later called Nisan; see note on 3:15. The crossing of the Jordan occurred, therefore, about the same time of the year as did the crossing of the Red Sea; cf. Ex 12–14. (Joshua, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 34 offers praise for Deliverance from Trouble.

* [Psalm 34] A thanksgiving in acrostic form, each line beginning with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. In this Psalm one letter is missing and two are in reverse order. The psalmist, fresh from the experience of being rescued (Ps 34:5, 7), can teach the “poor,” those who are defenseless, to trust in God alone (Ps 34:4, 12). God will make them powerful (Ps 34:5–11) and give them protection (Ps 34:12–22). (Psalms, PSALM 34 | USCCB, n.d.)

The reading from the Second Letter of Paul to the Corinthians declares us ambassadors for Christ in the Ministry of Reconciliation

* [5:18–21] Paul attempts to explain the meaning of God’s action by a variety of different categories; his attention keeps moving rapidly back and forth from God’s act to his own ministry as well. Who has reconciled us to himself: i.e., he has brought all into oneness. Not counting their trespasses: the reconciliation is described as an act of justification (cf. “righteousness,” 2 Cor 5:21); this contrasts with the covenant that condemned (2 Cor 3:8). The ministry of reconciliation: Paul’s role in the wider picture is described: entrusted with the message of reconciliation (2 Cor 5:19), he is Christ’s ambassador, through whom God appeals (2 Cor 5:20a). In v. 20b Paul acts in the capacity just described.

* [5:21] This is a statement of God’s purpose, expressed paradoxically in terms of sharing and exchange of attributes. As Christ became our righteousness (1 Cor 1:30), we become God’s righteousness (cf. 2 Cor 5:14–15). (2 Corinthians, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of Luke presents the Parable of the Prodigal and His Brother.

* [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.)

John Shea, S.J. comments that In the eyes of God, we are all brothers and sisters. Yet we easily forget this, especially when it comes to how we treat the most vulnerable in our society. How can we remember our common kinship? In his 2025 message for Lent, Pope Francis stated, “It would be a good Lenten exercise for us to compare our daily life with that of some migrant or foreigner, to learn how to sympathize with their experiences and in this way discover what God is asking of us so that we can better advance on our journey to the house of the Father.”

There are many ways we can get to know migrants, refugees, and immigrants. It may be as easy as talking with our neighbor or co-worker. Or we can spend time volunteering with an organization that serves the most vulnerable. Or we can learn about their stories with the help of the internet. Adit fled South Sudan when she was just 9 years old and now lives in Kenya’s Kakuma Refugee Camp where she pursues education. As you listen to her story, what are her dreams? Her challenges? Do you see God welcoming Adit with joy? Do you see Adit as your sister? (Shea, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “The Father redeems his son with a kiss,” by Peter Chrysologus (400-450 AD).

"'He fell on his neck and kissed him.' This is how the father judges and corrects his wayward son and gives him not beatings but kisses. The power of love overlooked the transgressions. The father redeemed the sins of his son by his kiss, and covered them by his embrace, in order not to expose the crimes or humiliate the son. The father so healed the son's wounds as not to leave a scar or blemish upon him. 'Blessed are they,' says Scripture 'whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered' (Romans 4:7)."(excerpt from SERMON 3)

[Peter Chrysologus, 400-450 AD, was a renowned preacher and bishop of Ravena in the 5th century] (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 asks what does it mean to “be reconciled to God” (2 Corinthians 5:20)?

We can hear our Father’s pleas in today’s Gospel story of the prodigal son, too. The father of the prodigal stands ready, on the lookout, to welcome his wayward younger son back into the family. And he goes out to beg his resentful older son to join him and experience the fullness of life that is already his.

Lent is a perfect season to lay hold of this restoration in a new and deeper way. And what better way to do it than through the Sacrament of Reconciliation! ... So let your heavenly Father restore you through the life-giving power of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Listen to his voice as he pleads with you to receive all the riches of his “home.” It’s all there—come and receive it!

“Lord, I say yes to the reconciliation you offer me!” (Meditation on 2 Corinthians 5:17-21, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that the “self sufficiency” that the Israelites experience as they cross the Jordan to the Holy Land may have been troublesome in their understanding of dependance on God. Paul exhorts the Corinthians to live for Christ as ambassadors and not for sin. Friar Jude notes that “prodigal” meaning generous should be applied to the father who celebrates and forgives a son who had violated Jewish tradition and may have been stoned for his offense.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, explores the nature of evil—and our collective complicity in it. He introduces Brian McLaren who writes about contemplation as a way of sustaining our spirits and minds while suffering under systems of domination:  Solitary contemplation becomes the doorway into communion—communion with the Spirit in whom we find a new relationship with ourselves, with others, with history, and with the cosmos….

When even two or three of us gather in the name of truth, honesty, and love, in the name of courage, compassion, and kindness, we find ourselves feeling joined by another presence—the presence of Christ, the way, the truth, and the life. We listen to one another with compassion and curiosity. We speak to one another with wisdom and wonder. We turn together toward the light. And that helps us create islands of sanity in a world that is losing its mind. [2] (Rohr, n.d.)

We contemplate the direction the Spirit reveals to us to be ambassadors of truth, honesty, and love as we adopt the response of the “Prodigal Father” to events in which we experience rejection. 

References

Joshua, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings. Retrieved March 30, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/joshua/5?9 

Luke, CHAPTER 15 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Reading. Retrieved March 30, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/15?1 

Meditation on 2 Corinthians 5:17-21. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved March 30, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/03/30/1237299/ 

Psalms, PSALM 34 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings. Retrieved March 30, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/34?2 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Islands of Sanity. CAC Daily Meditations. Retrieved March 30, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/islands-of-sanity/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). I Will Go Home to My Father. Daily Scripture net. Retrieved March 30, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=mar30 

Shea, J. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. Creighton University's Online Ministries. Retrieved March 30, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/033025.html 

2 Corinthians, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings. Retrieved March 30, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/2corinthians/5?17