Clemency and Compassion

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to be open and offer mercy and compassion to those from whom we are estranged as we welcome them home.

Welcome Home

The reading from the Prophet Micah declares God’s Compassion and Steadfast Love.

* [7:8–20] The book concludes with a collection of confident prayers for deliverance, affirmations of faith, and announcements of salvation. Most of these verses bear the marks of use in worship, and probably arose in the exilic or postexilic periods.

* [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 is a Thanksgiving for God’s Goodness.

* [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 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.)

Cindy Costanzo comments that the Father is a representative of our God who is merciful and forgiving. The youngest wayward son is representative of a loved sinner and the elder son is representative of a person who seeks perfection, is privileged, perhaps feels entitled, wants special attention, and at times demands to be recognized or rewarded.

I remind myself of God’s merciful love this Lenten season.  I can see myself as both the younger wayward son and the elder entitled son.  

As a younger sinner I find I often focus too much on my needs or possessions, monetary value, and fill my days with unending tasks instead of choosing quiet time with Jesus.  

As the elder sinner I have many times had feelings of entitlement, sought recognition, wanted special accolades for what I have accomplished.  

Today in this Lenten season I pray for forgiveness. I ask Jesus to quiet my soul, help me to pause, and listen intently to Jesus’ message for me today. (Costanzo, 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.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 15:1-3, 11-32 comments that like the older brother, we may tend to approach our heavenly Father based on how “good” we are. We might point to all the things we have done to show our worthiness. But when we approach God in this way, we risk missing out on his mercy. God wants more than a list of good deeds. He wants us to be open to his healing touch. He wants to free us from the sins that have wounded our relationship with him.

We cannot heal this relationship by our own efforts, no matter how hard we try. Healing can only come from the mercy that flows from the cross of Christ. Through that cross, the Father humbly pleads with us every day to receive our inheritance and return to our place in his family.

No one “deserves” God’s mercy, but he offers it anyway. Today in prayer, set aside the tendency to earn God’s approval. Then let his mercy flow from his heart to yours!

“Father, I am your child. Open my heart to receive your mercy, today and always!” (Meditation on Luke 15:1-3, 11-32, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler notes that Micah and Isaiah were contemporaries who foretold the restoration of the people to Israel. Micah shows chutzpah reminding God of His Mercy. The Father acts outside the response of the Law to a wayward son forgiving him without perfect contrition thrilled to have him return. Friar Jude notes that when we hear someone has turned from sin we should be thrilled too.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Sikh activist Valarie Kaur who shares practical ways we can welcome strangers and build community based on the actions of the early Sikh leader Mata Khivi (1506–1582).

When we come together to feed each other, care for each other, and uplift each other, we create the conditions for beloved community. We weep, we laugh, we live. As the earth gets hotter, and more of us are endangered, we will need to be braver and more reckless with our love. We will need to create spaces that have never existed before. We will need to practice our humanity. This is how we birth the world to come. (Rohr, n.d.)

We ask the guidance of the Spirit as we contemplate how we can apply the generous forgiveness and compassion of the Father in our lives.

References

Costanzo, C. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. Creighton University's Online Ministries. Retrieved March 22, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/032225.html 

Luke, CHAPTER 15 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings. Retrieved March 22, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/15?1 

Meditation on Luke 15:1-3, 11-32. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved March 22, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/03/22/1230928/ 

Micah, CHAPTER 7 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings. Retrieved March 22, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/micah/7?14 

Psalms, PSALM 103 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings. Retrieved March 22, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/103?1 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Welcoming the Stranger: Weekly Summary. CAC Daily Meditations. Retrieved March 22, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/welcoming-the-stranger-weekly-summary/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Father, I Have Sinned against Heaven and You. Daily Scripture net. Retrieved March 22, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=mar22 

Covenant and Conduct

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today remind us of the ancient Covenant within which we are given responsibility to share our relationship with God in a manner that attends to the suffering and need of all His Children.

Covenant in Care

The reading from the Book of Genesis proclaims the Covenant with Abram.

* [15:6] Abraham’s act of faith in God’s promises was regarded as an act of righteousness, i.e., as fully expressive of his relationship with God. St. Paul (Rom 4:1–25; Gal 3:6–9) makes Abraham’s faith a model for Christians.

* [15:9–17] Cutting up animals was a well-attested way of making a treaty in antiquity. Jer 34:17–20 shows the rite is a form of self-imprecation in which violators invoke the fate of the animals upon themselves. The eighth-century B.C. Sefire treaty from Syria reads, “As this calf is cut up, thus Matti’el shall be cut up.” The smoking fire pot and the flaming torch (v. 17), which represent God, pass between the pieces, making God a signatory to the covenant. (Genesis, CHAPTER 15 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 27 is a Triumphant Song of Confidence.

* [Psalm 27] Tradition has handed down the two sections of the Psalm (Ps 27:1–6; 7–14) as one Psalm, though each part could be understood as complete in itself. Asserting boundless hope that God will bring rescue (Ps 27:1–3), the psalmist longs for the presence of God in the Temple, protection from all enemies (Ps 27:4–6). In part B there is a clear shift in tone (Ps 27:7–12); the climax of the poem comes with “I believe” (Ps 27:13), echoing “I trust” (Ps 27:3). (Psalms, PSALM 27 | USCCB, n.d.)

The reading from the Letter of Paul to the Philippians contrasts Wrong Conduct and Our Goal.

* [3:17–21] Paul and those who live a life centered in Christ, envisaging both his suffering and resurrection, provide a model that is the opposite of opponents who reject Christ’s cross (cf. 1 Cor 1:23).

* [3:17] Being imitators of me: not arrogance, but humble simplicity, since all his converts know that Paul is wholly dedicated to imitating Christ (1 Cor 11:1; cf. also Phil 4:9; 1 Thes 1:6; 2 Thes 3:7, 9; 1 Cor 4:6).

* [3:20] Citizenship: Christians constitute a colony of heaven, as Philippi was a colonia of Rome (Acts 16:12). The hope Paul expresses involves the final coming of Christ, not a status already attained, such as the opponents claim. (Philippians, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of Luke presents the Transfiguration.

* [9:28–36] Situated shortly after the first announcement of the passion, death, and resurrection, this scene of Jesus’ transfiguration provides the heavenly confirmation to Jesus’ declaration that his suffering will end in glory (Lk 9:32); see also notes on Mt 17:1–8 and Mk 9:2–8.

* [9:28] Up the mountain to pray: the “mountain” is the regular place of prayer in Luke (see Lk 6:12; 22:39–41).

* [9:30] Moses and Elijah: the two figures represent the Old Testament law and the prophets. At the end of this episode, the heavenly voice will identify Jesus as the one to be listened to now (Lk 9:35). See also note on Mk 9:5.

* [9:31] His exodus that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem: Luke identifies the subject of the conversation as the exodus of Jesus, a reference to the death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus that will take place in Jerusalem, the city of destiny (see Lk 9:51). The mention of exodus, however, also calls to mind the Israelite Exodus from Egypt to the promised land.

* [9:32] They saw his glory: the glory that is proper to God is here attributed to Jesus (see Lk 24:26).

* [9:33] Let us make three tents: in a possible allusion to the feast of Tabernacles, Peter may be likening his joy on the occasion of the transfiguration to the joyful celebration of this harvest festival.

* [9:34] Over them: it is not clear whether them refers to Jesus, Moses, and Elijah, or to the disciples. For the cloud casting its shadow, see note on Mk 9:7.

* [9:35] Like the heavenly voice that identified Jesus at his baptism prior to his undertaking the Galilean ministry (Lk 3:22), so too here before the journey to the city of destiny is begun (Lk 9:51) the heavenly voice again identifies Jesus as Son. Listen to him: the two representatives of Israel of old depart (Lk 9:33) and Jesus is left alone (Lk 9:36) as the teacher whose words must be heeded (see also Acts 3:22).

* [9:36] At that time: i.e., before the resurrection. (Luke, CHAPTER 9 | USCCB, n.d.)

Edward Morse comments that encountering God, who is neither safe nor tame, is not a ticket to safety and security in this life.  Yet, with the Psalmist, we cry out in faith seeking His deliverance and comfort in the midst of uncertainties, knowing somehow that we are not alone and that He is truly good: “I believe that I shall see the bounty of the LORD in the land of the living.”

During this Lenten journey, let us listen intently with Peter.  Let us have a holy fear, not like those about whom Paul writes in his letter, whose end is destruction and who follow their own pleasure.  Let us also join with Abraham in holding on to God’s faithfulness and goodness, even in the midst of our weakness and our fears.   We fool ourselves by thinking we need to know everything before we can proceed, as such certainty is unattainable.  Let us instead cultivate wonder, through which we may open our souls to learn and grow as God allows us to encounter Him as we journey onward.  Thanks be to God. (Morse, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “The transfiguration of Jesus,” by Origen (185-254 AD).

"Do you wish to see the transfiguration of Jesus? Behold with me the Jesus of the Gospels. Let him be simply apprehended. There he is beheld both 'according to the flesh' and at the same time in his true divinity. He is beheld in the form of God according to our capacity for knowledge. This is how he was beheld by those who went up upon the lofty mountain to be apart with him. Meanwhile those who do not go up the mountain can still behold his works and hear his words, which are uplifting. It is before those who go up that Jesus is transfigured, and not to those below. When he is transfigured, his face shines as the sun, that he may be manifested to the children of light, who have put off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light (Romans 13:12). They are no longer the children of darkness or night but have become the children of day. They walk honestly as in the day. Being manifested, he will shine to them not simply as the sun but as he is demonstrated to be, the sun of righteousness." (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON MATTHEW 12.37) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 9:28-36 comments that today’s Gospel describing the Transfiguration is a revelation of who Jesus truly is. As Luke describes it, “His face changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white” (9:29).

Today, imagine yourself on Mount Tabor with Peter, John, and James. What does Jesus’ face look like? How bright is his clothing? Think about what you might say to him. Above all, be sure to thank him from the bottom of your heart for being willing to die so that you might live!

“Jesus, let me see your glory today.” (Meditation on Luke 9:28-36, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the blessing and curses of the Covenant with Abraham that contrast the descendants promised with being torn asunder. Paul expresses his affection for the Phillippians who are now suffering and his encouragement that they should not live for the values of the world. Friar Jude notes the special privilege of Moses and Elijah in their connection to heaven.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, invites us to consider how well we love others, especially the stranger.

One would think that people who insist they believe in one God would understand that everyone on Earth is equally a child of that one God. Christians ought to be first in line to cross artificial boundaries created by nation states, class systems, cultures, and even religions. Often, we’re the last! It makes one wonder if we believe what we say we believe. Religion too often becomes the way to defend the self instead of the way to “let go of the self” as Jesus forthrightly taught (see Luke 9:23). [1] (Rohr, n.d.)

Pope Francis reminds Christians of their duty to welcome the stranger:

Let us concentrate on these words of Jesus: “I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me” (Matthew 25:35–36). In our time, charitable action regarding foreigners is more relevant than ever. The economic crisis, armed conflicts, and climate change have forced many people to emigrate. However, migration is not a new phenomenon; it is part of the history of humanity. It is a lack of historical memory to think that this phenomenon has arisen only in recent years…. (Rohr, n.d.)

We ponder the revelation of the nature of Christ in the Transfiguration and the connection to our Christian mission to care for our brothers and sisters everywhere.

References

Genesis, CHAPTER 15 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings. Retrieved March 16, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/genesis/15?5 

Luke, CHAPTER 9 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings. Retrieved March 16, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/9?28 

Meditation on Luke 9:28-36. (n.d.). The Word Among Us. Retrieved March 16, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/03/16/1227592/ 

Morse, E. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. Creighton University's Online Ministries. Retrieved March 16, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/031625.html 

Philippians, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings. Retrieved March 16, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/27?1 

Psalms, PSALM 27 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings. Retrieved March 16, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/27?1 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). A Biblical Command. CAC Daily Reflection. Retrieved March 16, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/a-biblical-command/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Jesus Transfigured in Glory. Retrieved March 16, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=mar16