TWENTY-FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
(Exodus 32:7-11.13-14; Timothy 1:12-17; Luke 15:1-32)
The photos from the Webb telescope are stunning. They show a
jaw-dropping display of stars and planets. When we see the capaciousness of the
universe up close, we have difficulty thinking of God as “popi” who wants to
caress each one of us. Yet that is how Jesus reveals him to us in the gospel
today.
Jesus confronts the Pharisees and scribes whose sense of God
is nothing like a father with tenderness for his children. Rather, they see God
as a generalissimo, just but ruthless with those who defy his orders. They have
transfixed by biblical passages such as the first reading where the Lord says
to Moses: “'I see that this is a hard-headed people. Let my anger burn against
them until they are consumed…’” There is no way the Pharisees can accept Jesus
as God’s prophet. For he speaks with sinners and treats them not with rigor but
with affection.
Jesus tells two parables that describe God as actively
seeking sinners. In the first, he compares God to a humble shepherd who leaves
his flock to search for a lost sheep. This comparison would astonish the
Pharisees with their concept of God as high and mighty. Then Jesus makes a
comparison that is even more outrageous for the Pharisees. He describes Him as
a housewife. In both cases, the central character does not leave for lost what
has been missing but looks for it with concern. And once he finds it, she or he
rejoices and celebrates.
We are used to calling the parable that follows the
“Prodigal Son”. However, with good reason, some now call it the “Loving
Father”. For the father is the only person who has a role in all three parts of
the parable. In the first part the youngest son disappoints his father by
taking his inheritance. After wasting his fortune, the son suffers great
need. Then he decides to return to his
father as a laborer, who at that time was a type of servant. However, the
father is there to welcome him as if he had been waiting for him since the time
of his departure. He does not allow his son to mention that he wants to serve
as his laborer but gives him a “welcome home” party. When the eldest son, also
calling himself a servant, finds out what is going on, he refuses to enter the
party. The father does not ignore this act of rebellion. Rather, he approaches
him as he did his other son to exhort him to reconsider his position.
The eldest son must learn to see his father not as a slave
keeper but as a saint who loves all of his children. In the same way, the
Pharisees must understand God as the Creator who wants to take care of all men
and women, even sinners. And because we sometimes act like Pharisees we have to
fine tune our perception of God. God is not the Maker of the universe too
remote to think of us as his loved ones. Rather he knows and loves each one of
us. He wants us to obey his commands not as slaves fearing punishment but as
children destined to share in his happiness.
As always Saint Paul gives good testimony to the love of
God. In the second reading Paul admits that he was a great sinner. He even
describes himself as a blasphemer. But he recognizes how God had mercy on him
by calling him through Jesus Christ to a new life. It is the same life of
children destined for eternity that Christ offers to us. It is not the life of
fear like the lot of a slave. Rather it is the life of freedom that true
children of God enjoy.
