Fr. John Ryan

 

TWENTY FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

16th September 2007

Parables are used by Jesus to open our minds to the mind of God. He presents images that make us think - that challenge us to move beyond the comfort zone of our own experience and recognize that there are other ways to react to life. As one commentator writes, "Parables have the capacity to shatter our narrow ways of viewing life and the world". Our views can be very restrictive and narrow. Jesus challenges us to broaden our minds, to open up to other possibilities.
In the parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin and the prodigal son Jesus presents scenarios that appear to stretch the boundaries of reality. In our narrow approach to life we would probably stay with the 99 sheep, forget the lost coin and feel aggrieved that the younger son would have the brass neck to squander everything and return when all is gone. Jesus speaks of searching for the one, scouring the house for a coin and unconditionally welcoming with open arms the one who has gone madly astray. In all cases there is much rejoicing.
He challenges us - to recognise the beauty in everyone, to realise the importance of all, to raise the limits well above the social norms. God seeks out and saves the lost. He welcomes home the stray. He never gives up - an attribute that Paul gives to Jesus Christ when he speaks of the 'inexhaustible patience of Jesus'. God's mercy is offered to all - to the Israelites who have quickly forgotten his goodness to them and construct and worship the golden calf; to Paul who persecuted the first followers of Jesus; to those who turn away from him, accepting all that he offers in creation but who fail to acknowledge him as Lord. Some would describe the level of mercy and forgiveness as 'absurd', and to our minds it may seem so. One of the great challenges thrown down before us by Jesus is to match that 'absurdity' - we are to mirror God's unbounded mercy, reaching out to find the lost and to embrace the prodigal. Another challenge is to recognise in ourselves the one who needs to be embraced - we need to acknowledge that we need the mercy of God.
All of us, at some time or other, fill the shoes of the prodigal. We are in positions that require a firm statement such as 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you, I no longer deserve to be called your son', and throw ourselves at the feet of the merciful one, the involved God, who does not forsake us. Forgiveness is offered to us all - and all of us are in need of forgiveness. The. line 'I have no sins' is not applicable - none of us are without sin - and the journey we make is the return journey to the Father, seeking forgiveness and reconciliation.
Only when we confirm in ourselves the reality of our own frailty can we truly accept the frailty of others and reach out to ease the spiritual pain of the other. Accepting and experiencing God's mercy awakens the merciful side of