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Lifelong Catechesis

Forming Catholic identity across generations
September 18, 2024
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Ordinary Time

For a large part of the liturgical year, we devote ourselves to listening to the mystery of Christ in all its aspects unfolded as we seek God's truth and understanding.

Sunday Readings and Backgrounds

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Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reading I : Exodus 32:7-11, 13-14

God has mercy on us.

  • The story from Exodus occurred at Sinai, where God made a covenant with the chosen people.
  • In today’s first reading, Moses intercedes for the people who broke this covenant.
  • Yahweh allows Moses to win the argument. God does not deny the covenant but renews it.

Reading II : 1 Timothy 1:12-17

God has treated us mercifully.

  • The passage from 1 Timothy presents Paul’s thanksgiving prayer for having been forgiven for persecuting the Church.
  • Paul is an example of God’s mercy and forgiveness.
  • Paul emphasizes that God’s grace is abundant through Jesus, who came to save sinners.

Gospel : Luke 15:1-32

God is watching for us to return to him.

  • In response to the Pharisees’ complaint that he ate with sinners, Jesus told the three parables we read today.
  • The parables are bound together by the theme of joy over the recovery of some thing or person which was lost.
  • The story of the prodigal son stresses God’s unconditional love and adds the contrast of the older brother’s hostility.