Word to the Wise
Sunday, September 11, 2016 - 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time - C
[Exod 32:7-11, 13-14; 1 Tim 1:12-17; Luke 15:1-32 or 15:1-10]This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. Of these I am the foremost. [1 Timothy]
I think it would be helpful if we first read these words of St. Paul's and think about them before we read the gospel scripture for today (and I hope your parish will choose the longer form with all three parables). Meditating for a few seconds on these words will help us to understand why Jesus responded to the scribes and Pharisees with the three wonderful images of care: a shepherd for the sheep, a woman for her lost coin, and a father for his two "lost sons."
The scribes and Pharisees did not see themselves as "lost." Nor did they think it proper that Jesus pay attention to the folks they considered "lost." Their attitude might be "good riddance." This why today's gospel is a challenge to all of us. There is no such thing as "good riddance" in God's plan of salvation. We are all invited to Jesus' table. He will come looking for us if we don't show up. We may decide to "stay lost," but we cannot say that we or any other human person have not been invited or sought. When Pope Francis was asked, "Who do you think you are?" by an interviewer, he responded, "I am a sinner." Furthermore, he has challenged all of us to go searching for those who are lost to invite them to the table.
The grand old hymn, AMAZING GRACE, says it well: I once was lost, but now I am found. The story doesn't stop there, however. Once we are found, we become searchers. Come to the feast! AMEN
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