Chapter Fifteen of St. Luke’s Gospel is a favorite for many people because of the parable of the Prodigal Son. The other two parables which precede it are also well-known and beloved by many. On this 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time, the presider has the option of reading the first two parables or of reading all three parables. The parable of the Prodigal Son has already been read during the Lenten Season this year so there are some who will choose to drop it this Sunday.
Actually all of the readings for today’s liturgy focus our attention on the mercy of God. One of the best ways to gain an understanding of how the Scriptures are speaking to us today comes to us in the very first verses of the responsorial psalm, Psalm 51, the first verses of which read:
“Have mercy on me, God, in accord with your merciful love; in your abundant compassion blot out my transgressions. Thoroughly wash away my guilt; and from my sin cleanse me” (Psalm 51:2-3).
One of the great Scripture scholars with whom I had the privilege of studying in the seminary was Father Carroll Stuhlmueller, C.P. From him, I learned six Hebrew words from these two verses. They are:
Hanan – which could be translated “gracious” or “graciousness.”
Hesed – which could be translated “loving kindness” or “merciful love.”
Rahamin – which is translated “compassion.”
Pesha – which can be translated “complete rebellion.”
Awon – which can be translated “perversity.”
Hatta – which can be translated “missing the target.”
The first three words appear at the beginning of the verse and are translated “mercy,” “merciful love,” and “abundant compassion,” respectively. More important than the translation however is the connotation each one carries with it. The first (hanan) is used between two people who have no personal relationship. The second is used when the two people in question have a definite relationship. The third and the strongest of the three speak of a relationship that is best exemplified by a parent and child. (“Rahamin” is actually the plural of the word “raham.” In its singular form, it means womb or uterus.”)
The second set of three words follow immediately after the psalmist asks for forgiveness using those three “relationship charged” words. Again, the connotation of the words tells us about intensity – from the strongest, “rebellion,” to the weakest, “missing the target.” Obviously he uses these three words to speak of his guilt, of his sin. Notice that he uses three words for forgiveness BEFORE he speaks of his guilt.
The six words are set in a figure of speech called a “chiasm,” a rhetorical device which matches the first with the last, the second with the second last, the third with the third last, etc. When the six words are paired up in this fashion, we see that what the psalmist is saying is this: God’s mercy fits every situation. God responds to rebellion with compassion, to perversity with faithful love, and to missing the target with graciousness. The one who composed this psalm knows that God’s mercy is ready to forgive anything, no matter how great a sin has been committed.
Of course, at this point we need to introduce the man who wrote this psalm, King David, in all probability. The very first words in verse one tell us that David wrote this psalm when he had been caught by the prophet Nathan and accused of the murder of Uriah and his adultery with Bathsheba, Uriah’s wife. Indeed, David needed “rahamin” to counter his “pasha.”
In my Scripture Study class this week, one of the participants pointed out that the three parables of chapter fifteen describe all three scenarios – a rebellious son, an incompetent shepherd, and a absent-minded woman. Jesus uses these three to explain God’s mercy. No matter how serious the failing, God is ready to forgive.
Saint Paul backs that up in the second reading for this Sunday by reminding us that even though he was a blasphemer, a persecutor and an arrogant man, God had completely forgiven him because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
No matter what kind of forgiveness we need, God stands ready to dispense whatever we need. No matter how great or how small, God is ready not only to forgive, but to forget. All we need do is follow King David’s example and admit our guilt and ask that God once again forgive us and create in us a clean heart and a steadfast spirit, knowing full well that we will continue to fail and will have to avail ourselves of God’s mercy over and over again.
Fr. Lawrence Jagdfeld, O.F.M., Administrator