Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C 11th September 2022
Lectionary Readings: Exodus 32 v7-14; Psalm 51 v1-10; 1 Timothy 1 v12-17; Luke 15 v1-10.
RSVP
Luke tells of a time when Jesus was surrounded by a crowd made up of ‘tax collectors and sinners’ and ‘Pharisees and teachers of the Law of Moses’. Jesus tells them a story about a shepherd who goes off in search of a missing sheep, leaving the others to graze safely in a field. The shepherd searches until he finds the lost sheep and carries it back to the flock. He then invites his friends to celebrate with him, rejoicing that a ‘lost’ sheep is back in his protective care.
Jesus said, “In the same way there is more happiness in heaven because of one sinner who turns to God than over ninety-nine good people who don’t need to.” (Luke 15 v7).
Luke doesn’t tell us how the ‘Pharisees and teachers of the Law of Moses’ reacted to the story. Did they understand this as God’s teaching or as a rebuke to their judgemental attitude towards Jesus?
Did the ‘sinners’ recognise the invitation to turn to God? Maybe not, because Jesus goes on to tell two more ‘Lost and Found’ stories. (‘Coin’ and ‘Son’).
The apostle Paul recognised that the risen Christ had come looking for him and had found him on the road to Damascus. Paul was thereafter, thankful to God for his loving kindness towards him.
“Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” This saying is true and can be trusted. God had mercy on me and let me be an example of the endless patience of Christ Jesus. (1 Timothy 1 v15a, 16b)
King David sought God’s forgiveness for his sins and prayed that he may be transformed by God’s healing grace. ‘Create pure thoughts in me and make me faithful again.’ (Psalm 51 v10).
God’s love for us is a constant theme throughout the Bible. His invitation to turn to him, to find yourself truly loved and invited to become a member of his family is ever present. God is waiting patiently for us to respond to his invitation.
Hymn writers Nick and Anita Haigh, reflect on the theme of being ‘Open to God’.
(Singing the Faith No 560).
My eyes be open to your presence, my ears to hear your call.
My heart be open to your love and in your arms to fall.
My mind be open to your word, my soul to heaven’s cure,
that I be open to you, Lord, this day and evermore.
My life be open to your leading, my hands to do your will.
My lips be open in your praise and for your truth to tell.
My home be open in your name, for weary ones and poor,
that I be open to you, Lord, this day and evermore.
My door be open to the other wherever we may meet.
My arms be open to the one in whom I am complete.
My self be open to your world and in it see your face,
that I be open to you, Lord, held fast in your embrace.
Bible quotations are taken from the Contemporary English version.