Liturgy Alive: Models of Celebrations

March 13, 2004 - Saturday, 2nd Week of Lent

A God Prodigal in His Mercy

Readings:
Mic 7:14-15, 18-20;  Ps 103:1-2, 3-4, 9-10, 11-12; Lk 15:1-3, 11-32

Introduction

When we forgive those who have hurt us, often some scars remain and take a long time to heal. Even if we have not personally suffered from a crime, we cry for blood and vengeance in the name of society, and we don’t treat a released prisoner or sinner who has made up for his failure as if he had done no wrong. But God does. He remains faithful to the love once given. He comes forward both to welcome the returning sinner and to invite the brother or sister who has a hard time to welcome his lost brother or sister to share in the joy of forgiveness and his return.

Opening Prayer

Faithful Father, you are our God
of grace, mercy and forgiveness.
When mercy and pardon
sound paternalistic to modern ears,
make us realize, Lord,
that you challenge us to face ourselves
and to become new people,
responsible for the destiny of ourselves
and for the happiness of others.
Make us responsive to your love
through Christ Jesus our Lord.

Scripture Readings

First Reading: Mic 7:14-15, 18-20

Shepherd your people with your staff,
the flock of your inheritance,
That dwells apart in a woodland,
in the midst of Carmel.
Let them feed in Bashan and Gilead,
as in the days of old;
As in the days when you came from the land of Egypt,
show us wonderful signs.

Who is there like you, the God who removes guilt
and pardons sin for the remnant of his inheritance;
Who does not persist in anger forever,
but delights rather in clemency,
And will again have compassion on us,
treading underfoot our guilt?
You will cast into the depths of the sea all our sins;
You will show faithfulness to Jacob,
and grace to Abraham,
As you have sworn to our fathers
from days of old.

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 103:1-2, 3-4, 9-10, 11-12

R (8a) The Lord is kind and merciful.

Bless the LORD, O my soul;
and all my being, bless his holy name.
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits.
R The Lord is kind and merciful.

He pardons all your iniquities,
he heals all your ills.
He redeems your life from destruction,
he crowns you with kindness and compassion.
R The Lord is kind and merciful.

He will not always chide,
nor does he keep his wrath forever.
Not according to our sins does he deal with us,
nor does he requite us according to our crimes.
R The Lord is kind and merciful.

For as the heavens are high above the earth,
so surpassing is his kindness toward those who fear him.
As far as the east is from the west,
so far has he put our transgressions from us.
R The Lord is kind and merciful.

Gospel Reading: Lk 15:1-3, 11-32

Tax collectors and sinners were seeking the company of Jesus, all of them eager to hear what he had to say. But the Pharisees and the scribes frowned at this, muttering. "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them." So Jesus told them this parable: "There was a man with two sons. The younger said to his father: 'Give me my share of the estate.' So the father divided his property between them.

"Some days later, the younger son gathered all his belongings and started off for a distant land where he squandered his wealth in loose living. Having spent everything, he was hard pressed when a severe famine broke out in that land. So he hired himself out to a well-to-do citizen of that place and was sent to work on a pig farm. (…) Finally coming to his senses, he said: 'How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will get up and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against God and before you. I no longer deserve to be called your son. Treat me then as one of your hired servants.' With that thought in mind he set off for his father's house.

"He was still a long way off when his father caught sight of him. His father was so deeply moved with compassion that he ran out to meet him, threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. The son said: 'Father, I have sinned against Heaven and before you. I no longer deserve to be called your son…' But the father turned to his servants: 'Quick! Bring out the finest robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Take the fattened calf and kill it. We shall celebrate and have a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has come back to life. He was lost and is found.' And the celebration began. (…)"

Commentary

LONG reading, short commentary! Let Julian of Norwich do it for us. "Our courteous Lord will show himself to the soul full joyfully and with glad countenance and friendly welcoming, as if he had been in pain and in prison, saying sweetly, 'My darling, I am glad that you are come to me: in all your woe I have always been with you, and now you see my love, and we will be united in bliss.' Thus are our sins forgiven by mercy and grace, and we are received with joy, just as it will be when we come to heaven."

General Intercession

–   For priests, that in their pastoral of the sacrament of reconciliation they may learn from the Father to be joyful, patient and uplifting, we pray:

–   For those who have not yet learned to forgive, that they may discover the joy and the peace that the feast of forgiveness brings, we pray:

–   For those who feel guilty, that they may find the courage to seek forgiveness, we pray:

Prayer over the Gifts

God, our Father,
through your Son Jesus Christ in this eucharist
you come forward to welcome us
to the joy of forgiveness and peace.
May your Son give us the strength
to be merciful as you are,
that we may build up and welcome
rather than condemn and reject,
for we too are in need of your pardon
through Christ Jesus our Lord.

Prayer after Communion

Father in heaven,
your love creates us anew when we have failed.
May our hearts reach out to sinners
and to all those in need
without any condescension.
Keep us carrying out our task
of reconciling and uniting
all races and tongues and social classes
and to build bridges of peace,
that we may go together
toward the joys of your home of welcome.
We ask this through him
in whose sacrifice of reconciliation we share,
your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Blessing

We have to celebrate and rejoice when brothers and sisters of ours had been dead and have come back to life through forgiveness; they were lost and have been found. Rejoice, with the blessing of almighty God, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

TOP