24th Sunday of the Year (C)

Sunday Readings for Your Reflection: Liturgical Years 2011 (A), 2012 (B), and 2013 (C)

24th Sunday of the Year (C), September 15, 2013

Liturgical readings
Exodus 32:7-11, 13-14
Psalm 51
1 Timothy 1:12-17
Luke 15:1-32 (short form Luke 15:1-10)

"When the Shepherd finds his lost sheep, he puts it on his shoulders in jubilation."


The tax collectors
and sinners


were all gathering around
to hear Jesus,


at which the Pharisees
and the scribes
        murmured,


"This man welcomes sinners
and eats with them."


Then he addressed
this parable to them:


"Who among you,


if he has a hundred sheep
and loses one of them,
does not leave the ninety-nine
in the wasteland
and follow the lost one
        until he finds it?


And when he finds it,
he puts it on his shoulders
in jubilation.


Once arrived home,
he invites friends
and neighbors in
        and says to them,


'Rejoice with me
because I have found
        my lost sheep.'


I tell you,


there will likewise
be more joy in heaven
over one repentant sinner
than over ninety-nine righteous people
who have no need to repent."


"What woman,


if she has ten silver pieces
and loses one
does not light a lamp
and sweep the house
in a diligent search
until she has retrieved
        what she lost?


And when she finds it,
she calls in her friends
and neighbors
        to say,


'Rejoice with me!
I have found the silver piece
        I lost.'


I tell you,
there will be the same kind of joy
before the angels of God
over one repentant sinner."



Scripture quotes from the Sunday readings:
"So the Lord relented in the punishment he had threatened to inflict on his people." (Exodus 32)
"A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn." (Psalm 51)
"God has treated Paul mercifully, and the grace of our Lord has been granted him in overflowing measure." (1 Timothy)