Homily: Twenty Forth Sunday Ordinary Time
Homily: Twenty Fourth Sunday Ordinary Time
Luke 15:1-10
A lost Sheep a lost Coin a lost Soul
The longer gospel reading includes the parable of the prodigal son.
I have chosen to focus our attention on the parables of the lost sheep and the lost coin.
Tax collectors and sinners draw near to listen to Jesus. But the Pharisees and Scribes began to complain. This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.
Note the lack of respect the religious leaders of the day showed Jesus. This man welcomes sinners. This man indeed this man by his death will bring about redemption for all who see him as the savior.
Why would they complain? They were jealous of his influence. The Pharisees and Scribes offered nothing to the sinners the marginalized and the lost. Jesus on the other hand offered a message of hope and love.
Jealousy can over take Christians. They don’t accept the fact that a sinner can become a saint. The church offers a program for Catholics who have fallen away from the church. The program is called Returning Home. Classes are presented and participants are encouraged to discuss the reasons they left the church. In many cases healing of old wounds allow our brothers sisters to return the Church and the sacraments.
I have heard from Catholics that resent the fact that they have been faithful all these years and someone who has been away from the Church for years can take a few classes and all is forgiven.
Today’s gospel and programs like Returning Home are not saying Jesus will not honor our faithfulness. He is emphasizing the joy of conversion. The lost sheep is found the lost coin also is found and the prodigal son returns home.
The Shepard who seeks out the lost sheep is Christ. The second Vatican council applies these verses to priests and how they should approach their pastoral work. They are to seek out and assist believers and non believers, Catholics and non Catholics. Assisting Catholics who have given up the practice of the sacraments. This task is not left to the priests alone. As believers we must share our times talents and treasure to promote the coming kingdom.
The lost coin was probably a drachma a days wages for a farmer. A day’s wages is worth getting out the broom and lighting the lamp and sweeping the house. Is not a soul worth more than a day’s wages?
Have you lost your way? Good news God is looking for you.
Do you have an impediment keeping you from receiving the sacraments? Make a commitment today to do what ever is necessary to remove the impediment and begin again receiving the sacraments.
Have you fallen into sin? God is waiting patiently for your return.
The sheep and coin and a son were all found and the angels rejoiced.
When we make a conscience decision to follow God it makes an angel smile.
Have you made an angel smile today?
Luke 15:1-10
A lost Sheep a lost Coin a lost Soul
The longer gospel reading includes the parable of the prodigal son.
I have chosen to focus our attention on the parables of the lost sheep and the lost coin.
Tax collectors and sinners draw near to listen to Jesus. But the Pharisees and Scribes began to complain. This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.
Note the lack of respect the religious leaders of the day showed Jesus. This man welcomes sinners. This man indeed this man by his death will bring about redemption for all who see him as the savior.
Why would they complain? They were jealous of his influence. The Pharisees and Scribes offered nothing to the sinners the marginalized and the lost. Jesus on the other hand offered a message of hope and love.
Jealousy can over take Christians. They don’t accept the fact that a sinner can become a saint. The church offers a program for Catholics who have fallen away from the church. The program is called Returning Home. Classes are presented and participants are encouraged to discuss the reasons they left the church. In many cases healing of old wounds allow our brothers sisters to return the Church and the sacraments.
I have heard from Catholics that resent the fact that they have been faithful all these years and someone who has been away from the Church for years can take a few classes and all is forgiven.
Today’s gospel and programs like Returning Home are not saying Jesus will not honor our faithfulness. He is emphasizing the joy of conversion. The lost sheep is found the lost coin also is found and the prodigal son returns home.
The Shepard who seeks out the lost sheep is Christ. The second Vatican council applies these verses to priests and how they should approach their pastoral work. They are to seek out and assist believers and non believers, Catholics and non Catholics. Assisting Catholics who have given up the practice of the sacraments. This task is not left to the priests alone. As believers we must share our times talents and treasure to promote the coming kingdom.
The lost coin was probably a drachma a days wages for a farmer. A day’s wages is worth getting out the broom and lighting the lamp and sweeping the house. Is not a soul worth more than a day’s wages?
Have you lost your way? Good news God is looking for you.
Do you have an impediment keeping you from receiving the sacraments? Make a commitment today to do what ever is necessary to remove the impediment and begin again receiving the sacraments.
Have you fallen into sin? God is waiting patiently for your return.
The sheep and coin and a son were all found and the angels rejoiced.
When we make a conscience decision to follow God it makes an angel smile.
Have you made an angel smile today?
