24th Sunday of the Year (C)

Sunday Readings for Your Reflection: Liturgical Years 2011 (A), 2012 (B), and 2013 (C)

24th Sunday of the Year (C), September 15, 2013

Liturgical readings
Exodus 32:7-11, 13-14
Psalm 51
1 Timothy 1:12-17
Luke 15:1-32 (short form Luke 15:1-10)

"When the Shepherd finds his lost sheep, he puts it on his shoulders in jubilation."


The tax collectors
and sinners


were all gathering around
to hear Jesus,


at which the Pharisees
and the scribes
        murmured,


"This man welcomes sinners
and eats with them."


Then he addressed
this parable to them:


"Who among you,


if he has a hundred sheep
and loses one of them,
does not leave the ninety-nine
in the wasteland
and follow the lost one
        until he finds it?


And when he finds it,
he puts it on his shoulders
in jubilation.


Once arrived home,
he invites friends
and neighbors in
        and says to them,


'Rejoice with me
because I have found
        my lost sheep.'


I tell you,


there will likewise
be more joy in heaven
over one repentant sinner
than over ninety-nine righteous people
who have no need to repent."


"What woman,


if she has ten silver pieces
and loses one
does not light a lamp
and sweep the house
in a diligent search
until she has retrieved
        what she lost?


And when she finds it,
she calls in her friends
and neighbors
        to say,


'Rejoice with me!
I have found the silver piece
        I lost.'


I tell you,
there will be the same kind of joy
before the angels of God
over one repentant sinner."



Scripture quotes from the Sunday readings:
"So the Lord relented in the punishment he had threatened to inflict on his people." (Exodus 32)
"A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn." (Psalm 51)
"God has treated Paul mercifully, and the grace of our Lord has been granted him in overflowing measure." (1 Timothy)

23rd Sunday of the Year (C): Wisdom 9:13-18

Sunday Readings for Your Reflection: Liturgical Years 2011 (A), 2012 (B), and 2013 (C)

23rd Sunday of the Year (C), September 8, 2013

Liturgical readings
Wisdom 9:13-18
Psalm 90
Philemon 9-10, 12-17
Luke 14:25-33

"Who ever knew your counsel, except you had given Wisdom"


For what man knows God's counsel,


or who can conceive what the Lord intends?


For the deliberation of mortals are timid,
and unsure are our plans.


For the corruptible body
burdens the soul


and the earthly shelter
weighs down the mind that has many concerns.


And scarce do we guess
the things on earth,


and what is within our grasp
we find with difficulty;


but when things are in heaven,
who can search them out?


Or who ever knew your counsel,
except you had given Wisdom


and sent your Holy Spirit from on high?


And thus were the paths
of those on earth made straight.


Scripture quotes from the readings:
"In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge." (Psalm 90)
"Teach us to number our days aright, that we may know wisdom of heart." (Psalm 90)
"And may the gracious care of the Lord our God be ours." (Psalm 90)

23rd Sunday of the Year (C): Philemon 9-10, 12-17

Sunday Readings for Your Reflection: Liturgical Years 2011 (A), 2012 (B), and 2013 (C)

23rd Sunday of the Year (C), September 8, 2013

Liturgical readings
Wisdom 9:13-18
Psalm 90
Philemon 9-10, 12-17
Luke 14:25-33

"Paul appeals for his child whom he has begotten during his imprisonment."


I,
Paul,
ambassador for Christ


and now a prisoner
for him,


appeal to you for my child,


whom I have begotten
during my imprisonment.


It is he I am sending to you


-- and that means
I am sending my heart!


I had wanted to keep him with me,
that he might serve me in your place


while I am in prison for the gospel;


but I did not want to do anything
without your consent,


that kindness might not be forced on you


but freely bestowed.


Perhaps he was separated from you
for a while for this reason:


that you might possess him forever,


no longer as a slave
but as more than a slave,


a beloved brother,


especially dear to me;


and how much more than a brother to you,


since now you will know him both
as a man
and in the Lord.


If then you regard me as a partner,
welcome him as you would me.


Scripture quotes from the readings:
"In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge." (Psalm 90)
"Teach us to number our days aright, that we may know wisdom of heart." (Psalm 90)
"And may the gracious care of the Lord our God be ours." (Psalm 90)