The Catholic Calendar for Sunday, September 16, 2001
The Twenty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Exodus 3:7-11,13-14
Psalm 51:3-4,12-13,17,19
1Timothy 1:12-17
Luke 15:1-32
Full text: http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/index.htm
A Reflection on today's Scripture:
"Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep." (Luke 15:6)
Two intertwined themes run throughout today's readings:
reconciliation and conversion. We see that God will go to any length
to retrieve what has been lost to Him, those who have strayed from
His way and fallen into sin. The house was virtually ransacked to
find the lost coin; the flock was left while the shepherd sought the
one lost sheep; the father whose wastrel, immoral son came home
chastened, starving and repentant welcomed him with open arms.
And so it is with those who have strayed, who have lost sight of
their true home, who have rebelled against parents and rules, who
have tried to make lives independent from their very Source of life.
These should realize that the door is never shut against them by God,
for the doorknob is on their side. When they open to Him, to Christ,
He will enter joyfully to bring about the needed and desired
reconciliation.
With Christ, enters conversion, the turning away from sin, all that
separates humanity from God's love. Conversion to Christ is not just
a one time act, but it is a moment to moment, ongoing process
throughout our lives. For while we are forgiven and restored to
friendship with our Father through Christ, human frailty and the
inclination to sin remains, even in the Baptized.
Conversion is a gift of the Holy Spirit Who not only leads us to
Christ but, if we allow Him, will keep us faithful to God's Word and
lead us to holiness.
Almighty Father,
help us to remove every barrier we have built against You,
that You may draw us close to Your loving and forgiving heart.
Amen.
- Marie L. Bocko ocds, ([EMAIL PROTECTED])
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