24th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Cycle C, Year I)

Community Word:True disciples possess the heart and character of Christ.

Theme:We possess the heart and character of Christ when we are merciful, compassionate and forgiving.

Promise:“…there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents…”(Lk 15:7)

Reflection:
It is God’s will that man, being created in His image and likeness, be like His Son, Jesus. He is far more interested in who we are than what we do, more concerned about our character than our works. Our accomplishments will be of no consequence when our time comes, but we will take our character with us into eternity.

Becoming like Christ is a continuing process of spiritual growth throughout our life’s journey. It is like a marathon that requires constancy and perseverance to the very end. Whatever unfinished work in our character is left will be completed when we grow in spiritual maturity in the fullness of Christ, as St. Paul wrote to the Ephesians – “… until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ,”(Eph 4:13).

For the 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time, we are reminded that – We possess the heart and character of Jesus when we are merciful, compassionate and forgiving. We are asked to imitate the divine and supernatural love that emanates from the Holy Spirit in the heart of Jesus that compelled Him to give Himself for our sake.

When we were sinners and not in the right standing with God, Jesus Christ in an ultimate act of mercyhumbled Himself and became a slave to die for our sins on the cross. Because of His great compassion, He withheld just punishment, took condemnation in our place and offered abundant and eternal life to us instead. Because of His kindness and tender-heartedness, He joins us in our sufferings and carries our burdens whenever He sees us in misery, in pain and in sorrow. From His forgiving heart, He is quick to pardon our faults and forget our failures when we seek to restore our relationship with Him.

From Hiskindheartedness, God overwhelms us with His mercy that overflows to the wayward and the lost. Our hearts are empowered by His love and compassion that impel us to come to the aid of our suffering brothers in their helplessness. He gratifies our hearts with overflowing joy that arise from remorse and repentance. And He gives us courage and fills our soul with motivation so that we can be ministers of forgiveness and reconciliation to those who have wronged or hurt us.

As followers of Christ, we should learn from the heart and character of Jesus to be merciful, compassionate and forgiving and be a witness to others that they may see the face of Jesus in us. Our way of life that follows the path of Christ should draw people towards Him, especially those who lost faith along the way, those who were misguided from the truth and those who became discouraged in finding hope in their situation. Let us follow the example of the good shepherd who lost one sheep and the woman who lost one coin; they rejoiced when they found what they lost. And the example of the father who welcomed his son who was lost but who returned to him. He gatheredhis whole household to celebrate because he was jubilant in having his son back. Because of His mercy and compassion, the Lord brings us this promise:“…there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents…” (Lk 15:7).

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, change my heart to be merciful, compassionate and forgiving like Your Son, Jesus. Help me to be attentive to the needs of my neighbors and be able to respond to their sufferings without delay. Keep me from being indifferent to their miseries and pains, from being judgmental and critical of their shortcomings. Make me an instrument of reconciliation and forgiveness, in restoring broken relationships and in bringing souls back to Your heart of mercy. In Jesus name. Amen.

Reflection Guide Questions:
1. Are you struggling from extending mercy, compassion and forgiveness to someone? Have you been closed to the prospect of being reconciled with another person? What steps are you taking to change your heart?

2. Share an experience how you felt after returning back to God thru the Sacrament of Reconciliation? How have you felt being healed from a committing habitual sin?

This Week’s Daily Mass Reading Guide:
September 15, 2019 (Sun) – Ex 32:7-11, 13-14/Ps 51:3, 4, 12, 13, 17, 19/1Tim 1:12-17/Lk 15:1-32
September 16, 2019 (Mon) – 1Tm 2:1-8/Ps 28:7-9/Lk 7:1-10
September 17, 2019 (Tue) – 1Tm 3:1-13/Ps 101:1-3, 5, 6/Lk 7:11-17
September 18, 2019 (Wed) – 1Tm 3:14-16/Ps 111:1-6/Lk 7:31-35
September 19, 2019 (Thu) – 1Tm 4:12-16/Ps 111:7-10/Lk 7:36-50
September 20, 2019 (Fri) – 1Tm 6:2-12/Ps 49:6-10.17-20/Lk 8:1-3
September 21, 2019 (Sat) – Eph 4:1-7, 11-13/Ps 19:2-5/Mt 9:9-13

“Ignorance of the Bible is ignorance of Christ. Read your Bible daily!”