Walking with Jesus: Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

For Sunday, September 11, 2022

Exodus 32:7-11, 13-14; Timothy 1:12-17; Luke 15:1-32

Today we are studying one of Jesus’ best-known parables, the Prodigal Son/Father/Brother, which has impacted millions and millions of people down through the ages. One of history's best-known paintings is “The Return of the Prodigal Son,” completed by Rembrandt two years before his death in 1669 and now located at the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia. Fr. Henri Nouwen wrote a deeply contemplative book and spiritual masterpiece by the same title. It's necessary reading for all who wish to deepen their love and devotion to the Lord.

There is a common theme in today’s readings which is best described as a reluctance — a deep-seated reluctance — to never give up on people. The basis for this reluctance is that when we love someone deeply, there is an intense desire to never give up on them. After living with them, loving them, trying to “reform” them, we are urged to say, “I’ve had enough. I just can’t give you another chance.”

Unfortunately, we sense and feel that God reacts to us in the same way. “He just gives up on me … and I give up on myself too.” Yet the bottom line is that for God, this is impossible. God can never deny Himself. God can never go back on who He is. God loves us: you, me, and everyone. Why? Because God is love and loves each of us individually. This happens often, especially when we do not love ourselves. Why?Because God believes in us. God wants what is best for us. God holds out hope that one day we will become the people He envisions and created us to be. God is just plain patient with us, and there is no time limit for God. God creates miracles in love, about love, with love ... constantly, daily ... for all of us.

In the first reading, God has summoned Moses to Mt. Sinai to receive the Ark of the Covenant — the tablet that ensconces the Ten Commandments. These define the statutes for living and loving in the ways in which God desires. When Moses comes down from the mountain to God’s chosen people, he is upset by their sinful betrayal of God. He tells them they are God’s own people whom He delivered from slavery in Egypt. He reiterates how much God has done and forgiven. This proves that God is best with His love and especially His mercy. Like the Jews in the desert, we too have constantly received this love and mercy. Are we grateful?

Paul rejoices that God has “strengthened him … and considers him trustworthy … and appointed him” [1 Timothy 1:12-17]. Paul has been a persecutor, non-loving … not accepting any god different from his own Jewish thinking. Jesus came to save sinners. After his conversion, Paul repeatedly shared his own sinfulness and unworthiness.  Nevertheless he was “mercifully treated’ in testifying to God’s love ... that no one is outside the realms of God’s saving grace. This is also true for each of us.

Luke consistently emphasizes repentance and forgiveness, especially in his 15th chapter, where the first three stories tell of something “being lost” while Jesus focuses on the one who finds ... which elicits rejoicing. The shepherd loses a sheep … the woman loses one coin worth about a penny ... and two sons are both lost in their own ways. The lesson to be learned: Rely on God alone. Love requires constant effort. A local spiritual director once put it this way: “When someone steps on your last nerve and you want to get even with them, but you don’t — that’s grace!”

Living the Word states it this way:

Like the prodigal son, we may roam through life looking for love. We may squander our days to confirm that alma mater. We may wrangle with others for power to prove our worth. It happens in nations, in businesses, in institutions, in churches, in families. We want to be treasured. We strive to matter. We seek to be loved.

Yet … at the same time … precious … treasured … wanted. … While we wander, Love awaits.

Love waits, with open arms, for us to come home.”

So I reflect on:

• What areas of my life do I tend to try God’s patience?
• In what ways do I follow society’s encouragement to fall into a merely exterior, routine living out of my faith, instead of a heartfelt, loving relationship with God?

Sacred Space 2022 states:

“The son who initially seems selfish was actually the one who saw beyond himself:  The self-centered one turns out to be the one who seemed dutiful but who had a false image of himself, his father and his brother. I ask God to let me glimpse and celebrate the food in the hearts of those around me.”