Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Today’s gospel is often referred to as the “lost and found” collection of the New Testament.  The chapter begins with the parable of lost sheep, followed by the parable of the lost coin, reaching its crescendo in the masterpiece of the parable of the prodigal son, at the heart of today’s gospel.

Today marks a significant anniversary for our country – the 15^th anniversary of the September 11 attacks.  For some, like new high school freshman, the attacks are merely a historical fact, occurring before most were even born.  Others see September 11, 2001, as a marker of time, ushering in two new distinct time periods: pre- and post-9/11.

The readings of the day can easily be summed up in a single word: mercy.  The gospel reading is perhaps the strongest proclamation of God’s mercy in Luke’s entire narrative.  God’s compassion for the lost, as portrayed in the stories of the sheep, the coin and the son, extends far beyond what human beings would consider reasonable or appropriate.

The coincidence of the 9/11 anniversary with these powerful lectionary texts provide us with an opportunity to draw ourselves into a celebration that includes both lament and mercy; remembrance and gentleness; anger and compassion.  Liturgy helps to give expression to such a deep cry from the soul.

Honoring the tragedy is also acknowledging that Sept. 11 was not a one-time event, but ushered in a time of war, uncertainty and terrorism.  And so I think we are always proclaiming that we are embracing the cross and that is our hope.  God is with us in this.  The message of the cross is that human beings are not left alone in this.  God weeps with us.  God invites us to show mercy, just as God shows mercy.

While there are very few hopeful signs, there are, nonetheless, some important things that are happening and are often overlooked.  In the Middle East, where Christians often simply ignored each other, there is now a new recognition of what the pope calls the “ecumenism of blood.”  Threatened with extinction, many Christian churches are now working together, finding they have much in common that they may have overlooked before.

Although it has unfortunately not received the coverage it deserves, the Muslim world has also reacted with shock and horror at what is being done in its name.  Muslim leaders from Iraq to Morocco to France to Indonesia have been gathering to ask themselves what is happening to Islam and condemning the violence.

Perhaps the most impressive action on the part of scholars from every tradition in Islam was “A Common Word.”  Addressed to all Christian leaders, the letter, published in 2007, calls Christians and Muslims to work together for peace.  In a most powerful statement, the Muslim scholars proclaimed “our very eternal souls are all also at stake if we fail to sincerely make every effort to make peace and come together in harmony.”

Muslims and Christians are working to use and interpret our texts and traditions to provide for a world where people can live faithfully in pluralistic societies, where there is freedom of religion and where the rights of minorities are protected.

We are still a long way from achieving that goal, but at least many religious leaders, including Muslims, Jews, and Christians, are now realizing that proclaiming together God’s generous mercy and compassionate love is critical to our survival.

Paul A. Magnano