Trinity XIII- Luke 10:23-37

The Gospel for the Thirteenth Sunday after Trinity is from Luke 10:23-37 and includes the well-known parable of the Good Samaritan. That parable is important, and it encourages compassion and true neighborliness. We always need to grow in such virtues.  However, this time, let us focus on the lawyer whose question leads to the parable in Luke 10: 25-29. The lawyer recognizes the principle of two great commandments, but he wants to justify himself and his views.

Jesus and the lawyer, along with many of their contemporaries, agree on the two great commandments: love God and love neighbor. However, the key difference is in their attitudes. For Jesus, the Law is a helpful guide with spiritual and moral purposes. The Two Great Commandments encourage worshipping God and caring for other people. For the lawyer and other legalists, the emphasis is on the details of rule-keeping. Instead of concentrating on inner motivation, the legalist views the commandments as a checklist for self-congratulation and self-justification. So, Jesus tells a parable that shows good attitudes and actions may be found even among people who don't follow all the rules (such as Samaritans).

This is still a warning for Christians. We know basic commandments, and we can probably check off some rules we have followed. But we should consider our attitudes and opportunities to show mercy. Let us watch our motives and attitudes, and repent of our failures. We must honor the principles of divine Law, and through divine grace, we must seek to apply those principles with sincerity and compassion.

Trinity IX- Luke 15:11-32- Divine Mercy

The traditional Gospel for this Sunday from St. Luke 15:11-32 is well known. In fact, it might be so well known that we overlook its depth of meaning. It has often been called the Parable of the Prodigal Son, and the prodigal or wasteful son is certainly important, but we should notice that there are three central characters in the story: 1) the ungrateful and wasteful son who repents and returns home, 2)  the legalistic and resentful older brother who is jealous and hurt, and 3) the merciful, gracious, and forgiving father who celebrates the prodigal's return and admonishes the older son.

Focusing on any of the three characters can provide much food for thought. All human beings share characteristics of the prodigal or wasteful son and of the older self-righteous and resentful son. Like both sons, we need changes in our thoughts and in our behavior. 

Nevertheless, the central character in the parable is the forgiving father. This father exemplifies the qualities of God the Father. He cares for both sons and wants what is best for them. He respects their freedom and allows them to develop in their individual ways. He gives them guidance and sustenance, and He is saddened when they misunderstand Him, make mistakes, and stray in their different ways. Nevertheless, His love endures and is ready to express itself anew if His children repent and return in humility. In His graciousness, He is ready to rejoice and have a feast when penitents return. We all have such a loving, gracious, and forgiving heavenly Father; so let us arise and go to Him in humility.

Trinity XI- Luke 18: 9-14; I Corinthians 15:1-11

Both the Epistle and the Gospel for the Eleventh Sunday after Trinity are especially rich passages. In I Corinthians 15:1-11, St. Paul speaks of two related topics, the core Christian message and his ministry as an Apostle. He affirms that he hands on the message that he received about Jesus Christ. This summary message is a sort of early Christian creed somewhat similar to the second article or section of the Apostles' and Nicene Creeds. Christ suffered and died for our sins, was buried, and rose from the dead to be seen by numerous faithful witnesses. And Paul's apostolic ministry proclaims this Christ-centered message through divine grace.

The Gospel from St. Luke 18:9-14 is the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector going to the Temple to pray. This parable is a warning against pride and self-righteousness and an encouragement to repentance and humble faith in divine mercy. We should pursue goodness and holiness, but even at our best, we are still sinners who must seek God's forgiveness, mercy, and grace.