TWENTY FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR C
11th September 2022
Exodus 32:7-11,13-14; Exodus 32:7-11,13-14; Luke 15:1-32.
The parables in today’s gospel reveal the compassionate heart of Jesus. Luke the evangelist used familiar images in the Jewish culture to counter the discrimination of sinners by presenting the compassionate heart of Jesus. According to him, there will be great rejoicing in heaven over one repentant sinner. The compassionate heart of Jesus understands above all else the value of every human being. We can assert that the value of every soul is found in the compassionate heart of Jesus.
The three parables – lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son – reveal a unique love that gives us hope in our journey with the Lord. A unique love that is different from the Jewish understanding, which attract tax collectors and sinners to the company of Jesus. Rather than closing the door of salvation, the compassionate heart of Jesus gave them hope and opportunity to be reconciled.
The risk that characterized the finding of the lost sheep; the care that was put in discovering the lost coin, and the love that overshadowed the wastefulness of the prodigal at his return prove that nothing can come between us and the love of God. Do not allow the guilt of your sin to weigh you down. Understand this day that God sees us differently. He sees in us the beautiful soul that is beyond the grasps of sin. He sees beyond the weak flesh to the heart that is ever willing.
Fr Anthony Ekpunobi, CM.
