Fourth Sunday of Lent (2)
The Israelites lived and Paul celebrates what Jesus puts in parable: leaving the past, returning to reconciliation with the Father, and living out the new life in Christ. This is contrasted with the son who holds onto his brother's past and the past ways he imagines the father used him and remains outside bound by the past. We are called to choose the first way, not the latter.
Title
Outline
One of the problems humanity has is getting stuck in the past
Israel arrived at Gilgal and three events spoke of leaving the past
Paul puts it in plain prose
Jesus tells us a story
Sisters, the question for us is obvious:
Readings
FIRST READING
Joshua 5:9a, 10–12
9 Then the LORD said to Joshua: Today I have removed the reproach of Egypt from you. Therefore the place is called Gilgal to the present day.
10 While the Israelites were encamped at Gilgal on the plains of Jericho, they celebrated the Passover on the evening of the fourteenth day of the month. 11 On the day after the Passover they ate of the produce of the land in the form of unleavened cakes and parched grain. On that same day 12 after they ate of the produce of the land, the manna ceased. No longer was there manna for the Israelites, who that year ate of the yield of the land of Canaan.
RESPONSE
Psalm 34:9a
9 Taste and see that the LORD is good;
blessed is the stalwart one who takes refuge in him.
PSALM
Psalm 34:2–7
2 I will bless the LORD at all times;
his praise shall be always in my mouth.
3 My soul will glory in the LORD;
let the poor hear and be glad.
4 Magnify the LORD with me;
and let us exalt his name together.
5 I sought the LORD, and he answered me,
delivered me from all my fears.
6 Look to him and be radiant,
and your faces may not blush for shame.
7 This poor one cried out and the LORD heard,
and from all his distress he saved him.
SECOND READING
2 Corinthians 5:17–21
17 So whoever is in Christ is a new creation: the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come. 18 And all this is from God, who has reconciled us to himself through Christ and given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 namely, God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting their trespasses against them and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 So we are ambassadors for Christ, as if God were appealing through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who did not know sin, so that we might become the righteousness of God in him.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Luke 15:18
18 I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.
GOSPEL
Luke 15:1–3, 11–32
1 The tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to him, 2 but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” 3 So to them he addressed this parable.
11 Then he said, “A man had two sons, 12 and the younger son said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of your estate that should come to me.’ So the father divided the property between them. 13 After a few days, the younger son collected all his belongings and set off to a distant country where he squandered his inheritance on a life of dissipation. 14 When he had freely spent everything, a severe famine struck that country, and he found himself in dire need. 15 So he hired himself out to one of the local citizens who sent him to his farm to tend the swine. 16 And he longed to eat his fill of the pods on which the swine fed, but nobody gave him any. 17 Coming to his senses he thought, ‘How many of my father’s hired workers have more than enough food to eat, but here am I, dying from hunger. 18 I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers.” ’ 20 So he got up and went back to his father. While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him. 21 His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I no longer deserve to be called your son.’ 22 But his father ordered his servants, ‘Quickly bring the finest robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Take the fattened calf and slaughter it. Then let us celebrate with a feast, 24 because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found.’ Then the celebration began. 25 Now the older son had been out in the field and, on his way back, as he neared the house, he heard the sound of music and dancing. 26 He called one of the servants and asked what this might mean. 27 The servant said to him, ‘Your brother has returned and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’ 28 He became angry, and when he refused to enter the house, his father came out and pleaded with him. 29 He said to his father in reply, ‘Look, all these years I served you and not once did I disobey your orders; yet you never gave me even a young goat to feast on with my friends. 30 But when your son returns who swallowed up your property with prostitutes, for him you slaughter the fattened calf.’ 31 He said to him, ‘My son, you are here with me always; everything I have is yours. 32 But now we must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’ ”
Notes
SUNDAY, MARCH 27, 2022 | LENT
FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT
YEAR C | ROMAN MISSAL | LECTIONARY
First Reading Joshua 5:9a, 10–12
Response Psalm 34:9a
Psalm Psalm 34:2–7
Second Reading 2 Corinthians 5:17–21
Gospel Acclamation Luke 15:18
Gospel Luke 15:1–3, 11–32