"He was lost and has been found."

On Sunday, September 15, 2013, the 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Cycle C), the theme of the Gospel reading from Luke 15: 1 - 32 is God’s mercy. Our Lord gives us three parables about the eternal mercy of God. 

Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Sep. 15, 2013 (24C)
From the Center for Liturgy at Saint Louis University

Sunday Mass Readings  
Podcast of the Readings 
Video of Reflections on Readings
Lecturas y Comentarios 
Prayer of the Hours
Burning Question: "Ask something of me and I will give it to you."

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Questions on Sunday's Readings for use by discussion groups,
prayer groups, or for individual prayer.
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Reading
Book of Exodus, Chapter 32, Verses 7-11, 13-14

1. Moses convinces God not to destroy the Israelites with wrath. What is it about the covenant that lets Moses do this? Do you try to talk God into doing things? In a covenant do both parties have a say?

2. God was faithful to the covenant even though the Israelites were not. How does that relate to you? Could anything change the fact that God loved you into being and loves you more than you can imagine?

Responsorial Psalms
Psalm 51: 3-4, 12-13, 17, 19

1. Our Psalm is King David's mea culpa,his personal confession to God. Speak of how the verses of the Psalm inspire you to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

2. Our psalmist pleas with the Lord not to take from him God's Holy Spirit. Tell of how you also rely on the Spirit in your daily life.

Second Reading
First Letter of St. Paul to Timothy, Chapter 1, Verses 12-17

1. Paul goes from foremost sinner to foremost preacher. How does his conversion demonstrate God’s forgiveness and mercy? Is God patient today with whole countries? With the Church? With you?

2. Your struggle to live in relationship with God and others. Do you have to be patient with yourself in this effort?

Gospel
According to Luke, Chapter 15, Verses 1-32

1. “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.” Why did he not punish the young man? Will this encourage the son to run away again?

2. Imagine a continuum with the father’s welcome at one end and the older son’s reluctance at the other. Where does your way of welcoming fall?

Online Sunday Bible Study Group
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