Readings for Sunday March 31, 2019

Joshua 5:9, 10-12
Psalm 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7
Luke 15:1-3, 11-32
Second Corinthians 5:17-21

Today's readings are about forgiveness. 

First Reading: Joshua 5:9, 10-12

And the Lord said to Joshua, “Today I have taken away from you the disgrace of Egypt.” And the name of that place was called Gilgal, even to the present day. And the sons of Israel stayed at Gilgal, and they kept the Passover, on the fourteenth day of the month at evening, in the plains of Jericho. And on the following day, they ate unleavened bread from the grain of the land, and cooked grain, of the same year. And the manna ceased after they ate from the grain of the land. And the sons of Israel no longer made use of that food. Instead, they ate from the grain of the present year, from the land of Canaan. 

The first reading relates how God forgave the Israelites for rebelling against him that led to their captivity in Egypt. They were finally able to feed themselves in Canaan and no longer needed manna for sustenance. It is interesting to note that the place where they enjoyed their first meal that resulted from the fruits of their own labor was "Gilgal." Gilgal means "rolled away" or the place where God rolled away from the Jews their former disgrace. 

Second Reading: Psalm 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7

I will bless the Lord at all times. His praise will be ever in my mouth. In the Lord, my soul will be praised. May the meek listen and rejoice. Magnify the Lord with me, and let us extol his name in itself. I sought the Lord, and he heeded me, and he carried me away from all my tribulations. Approach him and be enlightened, and your faces will not be confounded. This poor one cried out, and the Lord heeded him, and he saved him from all his tribulations. 

The second reading from Psalm 32 is about a sinner who sought forgiveness and the Lord removed (rolled away) from him all his fears, anxieties and tribulations.

Third Reading: Luke 15:1-3, 11-32

Now tax collectors and sinners were drawing near to him, so that they might listen to him. And the Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying, “This one accepts sinners and eats with them.” And he told this parable to them, saying:

“A certain man had two sons. And the younger of them said to the father, ‘Father, give me the portion of your estate which would go to me.’ And he divided the estate between them. And after not many days, the younger son, gathering it all together, set out on a long journey to a distant region. And there, he dissipated his substance, living in luxury.

And after he had consumed it all, a great famine occurred in that region, and he began to be in need. And he went and attached himself to one of the citizens of that region. And he sent him to his farm, in order to feed the swine. And he wanted to fill his belly with the scraps that the swine ate. But no one would give it to him. And returning to his senses, he said: ‘How many hired hands in my father’s house have abundant bread, while I perish here in famine! I shall rise up and go to my father, and I will say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am not worthy to be called your son. Make me one of your hired hands.’

And rising up, he went to his father. But while he was still at a distance, his father saw him, and he was moved with compassion, and running to him, he fell upon his neck and kissed him. And the son said to him: ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. Now I am not worthy to be called your son.’

But the father said to his servants: ‘Quickly! Bring out the best robe, and clothe him with it. And put a ring on his hand and shoes on his feet. And bring the fatted calf here, and kill it. And let us eat and hold a feast. For this son of mine was dead, and has revived; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to feast. 

But his elder son was in the field. And when he returned and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants, and he questioned him as to what these things meant. And he said to him: ‘Your brother has returned, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has received him safely.’ Then he became indignant, and he was unwilling to enter. 

Therefore, his father, going out, began to plead with him. And in response, he said to his father: ‘Behold, I have been serving you for so many years. And I have never transgressed your commandment. And yet, you have never given me even a young goat, so that I might feast with my friends. Yet after this son of yours returned, who has devoured his substance with loose women, you have killed the fatted calf for him.’ But he said to him: ‘Son, you are with me always, and all that I have is yours. But it was necessary to feast and to rejoice. For this brother of yours was dead, and has revived; he was lost, and is found.’"  

The third reading is the famous parable about the prodigal son. Even after wasting his inheritance on pleasure and luxury, the son returned home and begged for his father's forgiveness. The father was filled with joy for his son had "rolled away" from the disgrace of his former life. 

Fourth Reading: Second Corinthians 5:17-21

So if anyone is a new creature in Christ, what is old has passed away. Behold, all things have been made new. But all is of God, who has reconciled us to himself through Christ, and who has given us the ministry of reconciliation. For certainly God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, not charging them with their sins. And he has placed in us the Word of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, so that God is exhorting through us. We beseech you for Christ: be reconciled to God. For God made him who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that we might become the justice of God in him.

The fourth reading is about Christ removing (rolling away) our sins by his death on the cross. Jesus endured the punishment for our sins so that we would once again become the righteous creatures God created us to be. 

We may wonder if there is any limit to God's mercy. Like the father in the parable of the prodigal son, God is always willing to forgive as long as we repent. And therein lies the rub. It's easy to wallow in self pity and believe that we are beyond redemption. That is one of Satan's biggest lies. They do not call him the father of lies for nothing! 

Yet there is one sin God will not forgive: the sin of refusing to accept his mercy by not asking for forgiveness. They call this this a sin against the Holy Spirit. If we refuse to ask for forgiveness than we condemn ourselves. Yet all we have to say is "I'm sorry" and mean it! Unlike that famous line from the movie "Love Story," ("Love means never having to say you're sorry.") We know that love always means having to say you're sorry. And let's not forget that the road to hell is paved with good intentions. So God also expects us to make the effort to avoid those sins in the future.

Now go and serve our King!

John