Open Wednesday … Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, C

1.  Vocabulary from the First Reading:  Molten means to form something by
pouring hot, liquid metal into a cast.  Stiff-necked is a wonderfully descriptive word for a haughty and stubborn people!  A stiff-necked person will not bow his or her head in submission to God.  Israel is the name of a person, a people and a nation.  God changed Jacob's name to Israel (Gn 32:28-39).  In the First Reading Israel refers to Jacob.
   Vocabulary from the Second Reading: Tax collectors were hated because they were Jews who were collecting money to be sent to Rome for Caesar's army and parties.  The tax money was not staying in Israel to support public works.  Pharisees were a Jewish sect who strictly observed the Law, often to their benefit and without mercy towards others.  Scribes were men learned in the Scriptures; besides copying the Scriptures, they also taught and interpreted the Law (jurists).  Being knowledgeable in the Law they also acted as judges.  Jesus condemned their unbending rigor and sense of righteousness.

2.  In the Second Reading Paul is grateful for the mercy God has shown him. 
Stephen was the first to die for his faith (Acts 6:8-8:3.  He was killed by stoning. 
In Acts 7:58 we read that the ones throwing the stones put their clothes at the feet
of Saul for safe-keeping; after his conversion, Saul's name was changed to Paul. 
At the beginning of Acts 9, we read that Saul was traveling to Damascus to persecute followers of the Way.  (The term Christian had not yet been used.)  In the Second Reading Paul is acutely aware of the mercy God has extended to him.

3.  Psalm 51 is a favorite.  Read the Psalm and memorize a verse.  I suggest
memorizing, "A clean Heart create for me, O God, and a steadfast spirit renew within me. (Ps 51:12)"
   Fr. Stan Fortuna of the Christian Friars of the Renewal in the Bronx, N.Y. made a song of the Psalm response: "Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness; in the greatness of Your compassion wipe out my offense."  Visit Francesco Productions,
Click on "Music" and scroll down to Sacro Song (distinct from Sacro Song 11 and 3).  The song is called Psalm 51.  I cannot provide a preview, but the CD is excellent in my opinion. 

4.  If the longer version of the Gospel is
read Sunday, you will hear 3 parables:
The Lost Sheep, The Lost Coin and The Prodigal Son.  Prodigal means recklessly extravagant, and in the context of the parable it means recklessly wasteful.

    I am posting a picture for each of the parables.  I suggest reading each parable and then looking at the picture to think about, that is, to meditate on the parable.
Following the pictures, I am posting some thoughts on the parables by the early fathers of the Church.

5.    When I read thoughts of the early fathers of the Church (The Sunday Sermons of the Great Fathers, vol. 3, Ignatius Press), I was surprised by the interpretation of the 99 sheep and the 9 coins as angels who never strayed from God, and the lost sheep and the lost coin collectively as mankind, all who have sinned.  By comparison, I once heard a priest-psychologist say that our Lord took no risk in leaving the 99 'cause these sheep were so complacent they couldn't possibly get into trouble; the lost sheep, however, had sufficient gumption to do something, and if that energy could be harnessed for good and directed for the sake of the Kingdom, then that sheep had to be found!

6.  St. Gregory the Great (c.540-604) writes, "The Lord confesses that there is more          rejoicing in heaven over converted sinners than over those who have remained faithful.     For those oftentimes knowing themselves free of the burden of grave sin … are reluctant to give themselves to the practice of the higher virtues …"  (Ibid. p.193)  Those who have been forgiven much, love much.

7.  St. Gregory notes that in the first parable, God is represented by a shepherd (male), and he says in the second parable, the woman represents the wisdom of God.   
     St. Cyril of Alexandria (c.376-444) points out that coins are stamped with the   image of the emperor.  When you think of yourself as the lost coin, think of yourself as stamped with the image of God. (Ibid.)  I like that prayer image.  : )