Welcome to our Bible Study

24th Sunday in the Ordinary Time C11 September 2016

In preparation for this Sunday’s LiturgyAs aid in focusing our homilies and sharing

Prepared by Fr. Cielo R. Almazan, OFM

1st reading: Exodus 32:7-11, 13-14 7 The LORD said to Moses, "Go down at once to your people,

whom you brought out of the land of Egypt, for they have become depraved. 8 They have soon turned aside from the way I pointed out to them, making for themselves a molten calf and worshiping it, sacrificing to it and crying out, 'This is your God, O Israel, who brought you out of the land of Egypt!' 9 I see how stiff-necked this people is," continued the LORD to Moses. 10 "Let me alone, then, that my wrath may blaze up against them to consume them. Then I will make of you a great nation." 11 But Moses implored the LORD, his God, saying, "Why, O LORD, should your wrath blaze up against your own people, whom you brought out of the land of Egypt with such great power and with so strong a hand? 13 Remember your servants Abraham, Isaac and Israel, and how you swore to them by your own self, saying, 'I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky; and all this land that I promised, I will give your descendants as their perpetual heritage.'" 14 So the LORD relented in the punishment he had threatened to inflict on his people.

The focus is God’s mercy and forgivenessmercy and forgiveness.

1st reading: Exodus 32:7-11, 13-14 God to Moses

7 The LORD said to Moses, "Go down at once to your people, whom you brought out of the land of Egypt, for they have become depraved. 8 They have soon turned aside from the way I pointed out to them, making for themselves a molten calf and worshiping it, sacrificing to it and crying out, 'This is your God, O Israel, who brought you out of the land of Egypt!' 9 I see how stiff-necked this people is," continued the LORD to Moses. 10 "Let me alone, then, that my wrath may blaze up against them to consume them. Then I will make of you a great nation."

Moses to God 11 But Moses implored the LORD, his God, saying, "Why, O LORD,

should your wrath blaze up against your own people, whom you brought out of the land of Egypt with such great power and with so strong a hand? 13 Remember your servants Abraham, Isaac and Israel, and how you swore to them by your own self, saying, 'I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky; and all this land that I promised, I will give your descendants as their perpetual heritage.'"

God to his people 14 So the LORD relented in the punishment he had threatened to inflict

on his people.

A simple outline!

Textual Context of Exodus 32:7-11, 13-14 1. Exodus: Deliverance Traditions (1-18) A. Israel in Egypt (1)

B. Early Moses (2-4)C. Plagues (5-11)D. Passover (12:1-13:16)E. Exodus from Egypt (13:17-15:21)F. Wilderness Journey (15:22-18:27)

2. Sinai: Covenant Traditions (19-40) A. Theophany on the Mountain (19)

B. Law and Covenant (20-24) 1. Ethical Decalogue (20:1-17)

2. Book of the Covenant (20:18-23:33) 3. Law Collections from Mesopotamia

C. Covenant Confirmation (24)D. Covenant Breaking and Remaking (32-34)

1. Golden Calf (32-33) 2. Covenant Remaking (34)

E. Tabernacle (25-31, 35-40)

1st reading: Exodus 32:7-11, 13-14 God to Moses

7 The LORD said to Moses, "Go down at once to your people, whom you brought out of the land of Egypt, for they have become depraved. 8 They have soon turned aside from the way I pointed out to them, making for themselves a molten calf and worshiping it, sacrificing to it and crying out, 'This is your God, O Israel, who brought you out of the land of Egypt!' 9 I see how stiff-necked this people is," continued the LORD to Moses. 10 "Let me alone, then, that my wrath may blaze up against them to consume them. Then I will make of you a great nation."

Moses to God 11 But Moses implored the LORD, his

God, saying, "Why, O LORD, should your wrath blaze up against your own people, whom you brought out of the land of Egypt with such great power and with so strong a hand? 13 Remember your servants Abraham, Isaac and Israel, and how you swore to them by your own self, saying, 'I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky; and all this land that I promised, I will give your descendants as their perpetual heritage.'"

God to his people 14 So the LORD relented in the

punishment he had threatened to inflict on his people.

Commentary In v.7, God orders Moses to go down

from Mt. Sinai to find out what the Israelites have become.

Under his leadership, the Israelites were freed from the slavery of Egypt.

But now they have become depraved (corrupt).

In v.8, God accuses them of disobedience and idolatry. They made and worshipped a molten

calf (golden calf). They attribute their liberation to the

graven image. In v.9, God calls them stiff-necked

(hardheaded, pasaway). In v.10, God threatens to annihilate

them and makes a promise to Moses to make of him a great nation.

1st reading: Exodus 32:7-11, 13-14 God to Moses

7 The LORD said to Moses, "Go down at once to your people, whom you brought out of the land of Egypt, for they have become depraved. 8 They have soon turned aside from the way I pointed out to them, making for themselves a molten calf and worshiping it, sacrificing to it and crying out, 'This is your God, O Israel, who brought you out of the land of Egypt!' 9 I see how stiff-necked this people is," continued the LORD to Moses. 10 "Let me alone, then, that my wrath may blaze up against them to consume them. Then I will make of you a great nation."

Moses to God 11 But Moses implored the LORD, his

God, saying, "Why, O LORD, should your wrath blaze up against your own people, whom you brought out of the land of Egypt with such great power and with so strong a hand? 13 Remember your servants Abraham, Isaac and Israel, and how you swore to them by your own self, saying, 'I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky; and all this land that I promised, I will give your descendants as their perpetual heritage.'"

God to his people 14 So the LORD relented in the

punishment he had threatened to inflict on his people.

In v.11, Moses intercedes for the people. He argues with God.

Moses asks (as if he was his counselor), “What’s your problem? Your plan to eliminate them is inconsistent with what you have done to them with great power. Have you run out of steam?”

In v.13, Moses reminds him of his faithful servants, the patriarchs.

What will happen to his promise to them to make of them a great nation and to settle them in the land of promise, which is just at the corner, if he kills them in the desert?

In v.14, God changes his mind. He concedes to Moses.

Reflections on the 1st reading We are all sinners. We frequently commit the sin of disobedience (doing our

own will, not God’s will, making our own gods). We also commit the sin of forgetfulness (intentional

amnesia). How soon do we forget God’s great deeds to us? Added to this is our sin of ungratefulness (walang utang na loob).

By God’s justice, we are supposed to be punished. There are sanctions. God does not let our crimes pass, sitting down.

But God is also merciful. He listens to the pleadings of his holy men (and women). God can change his mind when someone prays to him or

argues with him. Are we praying like Moses?

Resp. Ps 51:3-4, 12-13, 17, 19 R. (Lk 15:18) I will rise and go to my father.

3 Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness;in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense.4 Thoroughly wash me from my guiltand of my sin cleanse me.

12 A clean heart create for me, O God,and a steadfast spirit renew within me.13 Cast me not out from your presence,and your Holy Spirit take not from me.

17 O Lord, open my lips,and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.19 My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit;a heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.

Resp. Ps 51:3-4, 12-13, 17, Resp. Ps 51:3-4, 12-13, 17, 1919 R. (Lk 15:18) I will rise and go to my father.

3 Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness;in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense.4 Thoroughly wash me from my guiltand of my sin cleanse me.

12 A clean heart create for me, O God,and a steadfast spirit renew within me.13 Cast me not out from your presence,and your Holy Spirit take not from me.

17 O Lord, open my lips,and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.19 My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit;a heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.

Commentary The psalm is a prayer for mercy and

forgiveness. Vv.3-4 present the prayer in parallel forms

V.3 Have mercy, in your goodness // in your compassion, wipe out my offense.

V.4 wash me from guilt // of my sin cleanse me

In v.12, the psalmist-sinner uses another expression to obtain God’s mercy and forgiveness.

Again, the psalmist uses parallelism. A clean heart create for me // steadfast spirit

renew within me. In v.13, the psalmist asks not to be

punished, in parallel form. Punishment for sin is to be cast out of God’s

presence (punishment of Cain) Another punishment is when the Spirit of God

is removed (punishment of King Saul). V.17 is the source of the opening formula of

the invitatory of the Christian Prayer. V.19 reveals the disposition of the one

praying: contrite, humbled

Reflections on the Psalm

We must approach God with contrite hearts. We must realize how sinful we are in the presence

of the Most Holy God. When we ask for forgiveness, we must be prepared

to change. God abhors hypocrisy in our prayers. We don’t wait to be accursed by God, like Cain who

lived in isolation or lived like a vagabond. (palaboy laboy, no permanent residence and work)

Let not God’s Spirit be denied from us. God’s Spirit is our visa to heaven.

2nd reading: 1 Timothy 1:12-17 12 I am grateful to him who has strengthened me, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he considered me trustworthy in appointing me to the ministry. 13 I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and an arrogant man, but I have been mercifully treated because I acted out of ignorance in my unbelief. 14 Indeed, the grace of our Lord has been abundant, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 15 This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. Of these I am the foremost. 16 But for that reason I was mercifully treated, so that in me, as the foremost, Christ Jesus might display all his patience as an example for those who would come to believe in him for everlasting life. 17 To the king of ages, incorruptible, invisible, the only God, honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

The focus is God’s mercy, as felt by St. Paul.

2nd reading: 1 Timothy 1:12-17Paul’s gratefulness to Christ 12 I am grateful to him who has strengthened me, Christ Jesus our

Lord, because he considered me trustworthy in appointing me to the ministry.

Paul’s former sins 13 I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and an arrogant man, Paul’s experience of Christ’s mercy but I have been mercifully treated because I acted out of ignorance in

my unbelief. 14 Indeed, the grace of our Lord has been abundant, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 15 This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. Of these I am the foremost.

16 But for that reason I was mercifully treated, so that in me, as the foremost, Christ Jesus might display all his patience as an example for those who would come to believe in him for everlasting life.

Paul’s doxology 17 To the king of ages, incorruptible, invisible, the only God, honor and

glory forever and ever. Amen.

A simple outline!

2nd reading: 1 Timothy 1:12-17Paul’s gratefulness to Christ

12 I am grateful to him who has strengthened me, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he considered me trustworthy in appointing me to the ministry.

Paul’s former sins 13 I was once a blasphemer and a

persecutor and an arrogant man, Paul’s experience of Christ’s mercy but I have been mercifully treated

because I acted out of ignorance in my unbelief. 14 Indeed, the grace of our Lord has been abundant, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 15 This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. Of these I am the foremost.

16 But for that reason I was mercifully treated, so that in me, as the foremost, Christ Jesus might display all his patience as an example for those who would come to believe in him for everlasting life.

Paul’s doxology 17 To the king of ages, incorruptible,

invisible, the only God, honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

Commentary The first letter to Timothy is not

written by Paul, according to the scholars.

It must have been written by a follower of Paul, who used his name to give credence to it.

This follower wrote much later, after the death of Paul, because it is addressing new situations not known to Paul himself.

The letter is classified as a Pastoral Letter (along with 2 Tim and Titus).

The main point of the reading is Christ’s mercy to Paul (to the author).

In v.12, Paul is happy to say that Christ strengthens him.

The reason: He considers him worthy to be his minister.

2nd reading: 1 Timothy 1:12-17Paul’s gratefulness to Christ

12 I am grateful to him who has strengthened me, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he considered me trustworthy in appointing me to the ministry.

Paul’s former sins 13 I was once a blasphemer and a

persecutor and an arrogant man, Paul’s experience of Christ’s mercy but I have been mercifully treated

because I acted out of ignorance in my unbelief. 14 Indeed, the grace of our Lord has been abundant, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 15 This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. Of these I am the foremost.

16 But for that reason I was mercifully treated, so that in me, as the foremost, Christ Jesus might display all his patience as an example for those who would come to believe in him for everlasting life.

Paul’s doxology 17 To the king of ages, incorruptible,

invisible, the only God, honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

V.13 recalls Paul’s unworthiness. His big sins are blasphemy,

persecution, and arrogance. All these are sins against faith and charity. These sins disqualify him from being a minister / leader or missionary.

V.13b explains that he has been given consideration / mercy. The reason/excuse: ignorance, naivete.

V.14 affirms Christ’s abundance of grace, faith and love.

In v.15, Paul firmly affirms the purpose of Christ’s coming: to save.

Paul declares another reason for his gratefulness: he is first to be saved.

In v.16, Paul interprets the mind / purpose of God: so that he will be used by Christ to display his patience to believers, to be saved like him.

V.17 glorifies God as king of the ages, etc. as a fitting conclusion of his gratefulness.

Reflections on the 2Reflections on the 2ndnd readingreading Truly God is merciful. He forgives all our sins. He wants to save us

and makes use of us, so that others, too, may be saved.

By showing us his mercy and forgiveness, he is making us his instruments of salvation.

If this is the case, we, all sinners, no matter how bad we have been, have hope.

Believing that we have been forgiven, we now confidently begin our mission.

Gospel reading: Luke 15:1-32 or 15:1-10Setting:

1The tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to him, 2 but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them." 3 So to them he addressed this parable.

The Parable of the Lost Sheep 4 "What man among you having a hundred sheep and

losing one of them would not leave the ninety-nine in the desert and go after the lost one until he finds it? 5 And when he does find it, he sets it on his shoulders with great joy 6 and, upon his arrival home, he calls together his friends and neighbors and says to them, 'Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.' 7 I tell you, in just the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance.

The Parable of the Lost Coin 8 "Or what woman having ten coins and losing one

would not light a lamp and sweep the house, searching carefully until she finds it? 9 And when she does find it, she calls together her friends and neighbors and says to them, 'Rejoice with me because I have found the coin that I lost.' 10 In just the same way, I tell you, there will be rejoicing among the angels of God over one sinner who repents."

The Parable of the Lost Son 11 Then he said, "A man had two sons, 12 and the

younger son said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of your estate that should come to me.' So the father divided the property between them. 13 After a few days, the younger son collected all his belongings and set off to a distant country where he squandered his inheritance on a life of dissipation. 14 When he had freely spent everything, a severe famine struck that country, and he found himself in dire need. 15 So he hired himself out to one of the local citizens who sent him to his farm to tend the swine. 16 And he longed to eat his fill of the pods on which the swine fed, but nobody gave him any.

17 Coming to his senses he thought, 'How many of my father's hired workers have more than enough food to eat, but here am I, dying from hunger. 18 I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers."' 20 So he got up and went back to his father.

While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him. 21 His son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I no longer deserve to be called your son.' 22 But his father ordered his servants, 'Quickly bring the finest robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Take the fattened calf and slaughter it. Then let us celebrate with a feast, 24 because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found.' Then the celebration began.

25 Now the older son had been out in the field and, on his way back, as he neared the house, he heard the sound of music and dancing. 26 He called one of the servants and asked what this might mean. 27 The servant said to him, 'Your brother has returned and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.' 28 He became angry, and when he refused to enter the house, his father came out and pleaded with him. 29 He said to his father in reply, 'Look, all these years I served you and not once did I disobey your orders; yet you never gave me even a young goat to feast on with my friends. 30 But when your son returns who swallowed up your property with prostitutes, for him you slaughter the fattened calf.' 31 He said to him, 'My son, you are here with me always; everything I have is yours. 32 But now we must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.'"

Commentary The three parables are all addressed to the scribes and Pharisees, who question / object to his association with sinners.

The sinners are symbolized by the lost sheep, lost coin and lost son.

All the sinners are important to Jesus. He wants to recover them all. He spends / leaves everything to find them.

He has the historical patience to find and to wait. He is sure he is going to find. He misses no one. There is so much joy when he finds them. He spends so much to celebrate. God is extravagant

in expressing his joy. No one can stop him or spoil his celebrations. God is a

determined God when it comes to finding sinners and celebrating their return.

Yet, the last parable indicates that God misses someone, the one who refuses to recognize God’s purpose.

God cannot find someone, who does not allow himself / herself to be found.

God cannot work with the righteous, who think they are never wrong.

The elder child is the symbol of the scribes and Pharisees, who refuse to associate with Jesus.

They, too, are sinners in the eyes of God. So, they can’t accept God’s invitation to join him. The righteous people are the hardest people to

change. They can’t change. They are hopeless. Are we righteous?

Reflections on the gospel reading God is magnanimous and merciful to sinners, not

just sinners, but notorious / public sinners. He takes pain in locating / finding his lost people. God celebrates extravagantly even when only one

sinner repents. If this is our God, who are we not to go back home

to him? Come on, brothers and sisters, let us not be

righteous. Let us admit our sinfulness and God’s mercy.

Tying the 3 readings and the Psalm The first reading speaks of God’s mercy on the people

of Israel. The psalm is a prayer asking for mercy. The second reading speaks of the experience of Paul

and how God has extended his mercy upon him in-spite of his sinfulness.

The gospel reading speaks of the joy of the merciful God when someone comes back to him.

How to develop your sharing / homily Can you identify someone who has shown you mercy,

compassion and forgiveness when you made a blunder (stupid mistake), ruining relationships, business, losing money, causing injuries or death, etc.

How did he show his mercy to you?

Have you felt that God has shown you mercy and forgiveness?

To appreciate God’s mercy and forgiveness, we must first realize how sinful we are.

If we have no concept of sin, it is impossible to ask for forgiveness. God’s mercy is meaningless.

In the first reading, the people offend God by making a molten calf. A big violation to his commandments.

God threatens them, but Moses intercedes for them and God changes his mind.

God shows his mercy because of the intelligent and passionate prayer of Moses.

We should pray like Moses. Other people need the prayer of the just man.

In the second reading, Paul thank God for having mercy upon him.

Paul feels he has been forgiven and God’s grace has been poured out upon him because he is given a new assignment.

Are we lucky like St. Paul? In spite of our blunders, God has not given up

on us. We are given another chance. This is to make us realize that Christ came to

save the world. Are we thankful of our new beginnings,

thanks to God’s mercy?

The gospel reading exhibits God’s mercy to sinners.

He throws a big party on their return. God’s mercy is mysterious. Mercy is an

important attribute of God. God is not vindictive. He does not take our

offenses personally. Instead, he seeks to forgive us, to be

reconciled with us. Out of his prodigous love and mercy, he wants

us to enjoy life with him.

How do we experience God’s mercy? As catholics we are told to go to confession. Do you go to confession? Born-again Christians confess directly to God. Do you share in their belief?

Live like a Catholic, don’t mess up your faith. You will not grow as a true catholic. Many penitents line up for confession in some

churches. These people have been helped spiritually and have

found freedom with the help of the ordained and intelligent confessors in the confessional.

Don’t ask for a priest only when you are about to die.

The eucharist is a meal which celebrates God’s infinite mercy, love and compassion for us, sinners, who go back to him with humble and contrite hearts.

The eucharist is a joyful celebration of our coming back to God.

In the eucharist, God sits down with us to nourish us, who are famished (starved) of spiritual nutrients.

Our Context of Sin and Grace Living away from God Prodigal Un-judicious in spending Does not pray Unrepentant Self-righteous Does not know where he

erred No conscience Unforgiving to others (= can’t

forgive oneself) Worships modern idols and

mammon = shopping malls, favorite actors and actresses, hi-tech gadgets, guns.

Prayerful Intercessor Humble and contrite

Hearts Compunction Change of heart,

change of mind (metanoia)

Regularly goes to confession

Very catholic

Suggested Songs

Amazing Grace Lost and Found

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYy2M4dB1iw Come To Me

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ID90ryPYU00 Prodigal Son

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymK_ihMZk50

Dear brothers and sisters,

God rejoices at our return.

Fr. Cielo