24^th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year C

Upon reflection of God's word today, the word that comes to mind is mercy. God is merciful. God relented in punishment of the people of Israel, even though they stray from the path, and practice idolatry. God is merciful to St. Paul. He was one of the first opponent of the early church. On his way to persecute more Christians, the risen Lord appeared to him. Paul saw a bright light and heard a voice. The voice said: “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” Paul responded: “Who are you, sir?” The voice said: “I am Jesus, the one whom you are persecuting.” Paul's was turned completely around, and he became the great apostle, the 13^th apostle, the Apostle to the Gentiles. Paul, instead of beating himself up for his past, he gave glory to God for being merciful to him.

The Gospel of Luke, is also known as the Gospel of Mercy. Specifically the 15^th Chapter of Luke, the parables of Mercy. God is like the Good Shepherd that would leave the 99 and search for the lost sheep. “Who among you, if you have a 100 sheep, and in losing just one, you would leave the 99 and search for the lost sheep?” Most of us would say: “No one would do that. We still have the 99. We can cut our losses.” But not so with God. The lost one is just as important as the 99. One bishop, who gave a series of retreat reflections for Pope John Paul II, shared an insight about God. God is not good at math. Even though God created Math, but God is not very good at it. How could 1 equal 99, and how could 99 equal 1. God is not good at math, but God is good in mercy.

The woman, have ten coins, and in losing one, she searches the entire house for the coin. And when she finds that coin, she rejoices and calls her friends and neighbors and throws a party to celebrate, and that probably costs more than those ten coins. But the important thing is that she found it.

In the story of the prodigal son, the son asks for his share of the inheritance. Something that would be considered very offensive, asking a parent while they are living, and wanting nothing more to do with his father. He then travels to a distant place, and squanders the entire inheritance. When he returns, we would expect that the Father would ask him to return the debt or pay back the debt, or in some way have some kind of recompense or penance for his wild behavior. But the Father, from a distance, runs out to greet him. The Father doesn't even let his son finish his apology speech. He tells his servants, quickly put a finest robe on him, put a ring on his finger, and sandals on his feet. Kill a fattened calf. My son is dead, but now he is alive again. He is lost, but now he is found.

One of the great artists, Rembrandt, a dutch artist from the Netherlands, who drew a memorable painting that we have now, is the painting of the Prodigal Son. In the painting, the son is knelt in front of the Father, as the Father embraces him, while the older Son and the others on the right side of the painting, looking at them, from a distance. The portrait that he contributed to the world gives us an insight into how he understood and interpreted the heavenly story. Rembrandt was someone who was like the prodigal son. He too had a wayward and lavish lifestyle in his youth. He also experience much pain and grief and you could see that in his paintings. It is believed that near the end, he didn't have much left. He lost loved ones in his life, his wife and children. And yet he is immortalized because of his contributions, in the painting of the prodigal son, that inspires many people. In his painting of the prodigal son, the younger son, the clothes were torn and ragged. His sandals were falling apart. His head was shaven. But if we look closer, we can see that Rembrandt painted a little dagger on his right side of the younger son. It is believed that it was a gift from his Father. And even though he had squandered everything, but he still held on to the dagger, to help him remember his Father.

Corporeal Works of Mercy

• To feed the hungry.
• To give water to the thirsty.
• To clothe the naked.
• To shelter the homeless.
• To visit the sick.
• To visit the imprisoned, or ransom the captive.
• To bury the dead.
  Spiritual Works of Mercy

• To instruct the ignorant. This work of mercy means all of us are called to share and teach the faith passed on to us. ...
• To counsel the doubtful. ...
• To admonish the sinner. ...
• To bear wrongs patiently. ...
• To forgive offenses willingly. ...
• To comfort the afflicted. ...
• To pray for the living and the dead.

The word “Church” is not just a noun, describing all those who are baptized. The word “Church” is also a verb, describing the things we do, which is participating in the works of mercy.

As we think about the works of mercy. Try to think about one area of strength (I really like doing this or that). Try to think about an area where you need to grow in. ( I could do more of this or more of that). As a church, we can't accomplish all of the works of mercy on our own, but only in collaboration with one another. So that we can be a church of mercy together. Throughout the week, or the month, try to see one strength, and one area needed for growth. God bless you!