March 2, 2013, Gospel

The Holy Gospel According to Luke    15: 1-3, 11-32

15:1 Now tax collectors and sinners were drawing near to him, so that they might listen to him.
15:2 And the Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying, “This one accepts sinners and eats with them.”
15:3 And he told this parable to them, saying:
15:11 And he said: “A certain man had two sons.
15:12 And the younger of them said to the father, ‘Father, give me the portion of your estate which would go to me.’ And he divided the estate between them.
15:13 And after not many days, the younger son, gathering it all together, set out on a long journey to a distant region. And there, he dissipated his substance, living in luxury.
15:14 And after he had consumed it all, a great famine occurred in that region, and he began to be in need.
15:15 And he went and attached himself to one of the citizens of that region. And he sent him to his farm, in order to feed the swine.
15:16 And he wanted to fill his belly with the scraps that the swine ate. But no one would give it to him.
15:17 And returning to his senses, he said: ‘How many hired hands in my father’s house have abundant bread, while I perish here in famine!
15:18 I shall rise up and go to my father, and I will say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you.
15:19 I am not worthy to be called your son. Make me one of your hired hands.’
15:20 And rising up, he went to his father. But while he was still at a distance, his father saw him, and he was moved with compassion, and running to him, he fell upon his neck and kissed him.
15:21 And the son said to him: ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. Now I am not worthy to be called your son.’
15:22 But the father said to his servants: ‘Quickly! Bring out the best robe, and clothe him with it. And put a ring on his hand and shoes on his feet.
15:23 And bring the fatted calf here, and kill it. And let us eat and hold a feast.
15:24 For this son of mine was dead, and has revived; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to feast.
15:25 But his elder son was in the field. And when he returned and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing.
15:26 And he called one of the servants, and he questioned him as to what these things meant.
15:27 And he said to him: ‘Your brother has returned, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has received him safely.’
15:28 Then he became indignant, and he was unwilling to enter. Therefore, his father, going out, began to plead with him.
15:29 And in response, he said to his father: ‘Behold, I have been serving you for so many years. And I have never transgressed your commandment. And yet, you have never given me even a young goat, so that I might feast with my friends.
15:30 Yet after this son of yours returned, who has devoured his substance with loose women, you have killed the fatted calf for him.’
15:31 But he said to him: ‘Son, you are with me always, and all that I have is yours.
15:32 But it was necessary to feast and to rejoice. For this brother of yours was dead, and has revived; he was lost, and is found.’ 

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