HOMILY FOR THE 24TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME OF YEAR C.
THEME: There will be rejoicing in heaven over one repentant sinner.
BY: Fr. Diotacious Chikontwe SMA
HOMILY FOR SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 11 2022
*READINGS OF THE DAY*
Exodus 32:7-11,13-14
1 Timothy 1:12-17
Luke 15:1-32
*LITURGICAL COLOUR*
GREEN
*INTRODUCTION*
Dear brothers and sisters today we celebrate the 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time of year C. Todays liturgical readings gives us the message of Gods love, mercy and compassion.
*ABOUT OUR FIRST READING*
In the first reading, we hear the message of God’s mercy in the story of the golden calf. The Israelites made an image of idol because they had tired of waiting for Moses who was on the mountain to receive the tablets of the law. What follows is a threat of punishment and a revelation of God’s compassion. Moses pleaded for his people and God relented. Yahweh reveals to be a God who in spite of Israel’s sinfulness, wishes to be merciful rather than hard-hearted. God has a strong familial bond with the people of Israel and is prepared to see beyond human frailty.
*FROM THE SECOND READING*
In todays second reading, St Paul is saying that, Christ Jesus came into this world to save sinners.
He goes on to give his testimony on the mercy and love God has shown to him.
He thanks Christ Jesus our Lord, who gave him strength, and who judged him faithful enough to call him into his service even though he used to be a blasphemer and did all he could to injure and discredit the faith.
*FROM OUR GOSPEL READING*
In todays Gospel reading we hear three parables that Jesus Christ tells about loss and repentance. A shepherd looses one of his sheep; a woman losses one of her coins; a father looses one of his sons, indeed both of his sons. The experience of loss generated great energy in each of these three people. The shepherd went out into the hills after his lost sheep, leaving the ninety nine in the wilderness; the woman swept her little house thoroughly for her lost coin; the father scanned the horizon daily for his lost son.
*WHAT DO WE LEARN FROM THE READINGS OF TODAY?*
In these parables, the shepherd had many sheep, and the woman had lots of coins. How illogical it would have been for them to drop everything and look for something of so little temporal value. Yet the single sheep and the one coin mattered very much to them. By these parables, Jesus is sharing with us the truth about his Father’s heart. To the Creator and Lord of all that is, was, and is to come, every one of us matters infinitely. We matter so much that when we turn in repentance, all of Heaven rejoices.
*CONCLUSION*
Dear brethren, remember always that, God seeks the wanderer, searches for the lost, and welcomes home the wayward, and Jesus is telling us to do the same. The sacrament of Reconciliation is the place of Heaven’s rejoicing. In this healing sacrament, the dead come to life, and the lost are found. Let us go back to the Lord with humble hearts asking for forgiveness for everything bad we have done and said.
I wish you a blessed Sunday!