September 11, 2022

Exodus 32: 7- 11, 13- 14

32:7 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: “Go, descend. Your people, whom you led away from the land of Egypt, have sinned.
32:8 They have quickly withdrawn from the way which you revealed to them. And they have made for themselves a molten calf, and they have worshiped it. And immolating victims to it, they have said: ‘These are your gods, O Israel, who led you away from the land of Egypt.’ ”
32:9 And again, the Lord said to Moses: “I discern that this people is stiff-necked.
32:10 Release me, so that my fury may be enraged against them, and I may destroy them, and then I will make of you a great nation.”
32:11 Then Moses prayed to the Lord his God, saying: “Why, O Lord, is your fury enraged against your people, whom you led away from the land of Egypt, with great strength and with a mighty hand?
32:13 Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, your servants, to whom you swore by your very self, saying: ‘I will multiply your offspring like the stars of heaven. And this entire land, about which I have spoken, I will give to your offspring. And you shall possess it forever.’ ”
32:14 And the Lord was appeased from doing the evil which he had spoken against his people.

First Timothy 1: 12- 17

1:12 I give thanks to him who has strengthened me, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he has considered me faithful, placing me in the ministry,
1:13 though previously I was a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and contemptuous. But then I obtained the mercy of God. For I had been acting ignorantly, in unbelief.
1:14 And so the grace of our Lord has abounded greatly, with the faith and love that is in Christ Jesus.
1:15 It is a faithful saying, and worthy of acceptance by everyone, that Christ Jesus came into this world to bring salvation to sinners, among whom I am first.
1:16 But it was for this reason that I obtained mercy, so that in me as first, Christ Jesus would display all patience, for the instruction of those who would believe in him unto eternal life.
1:17 So then, to the King of ages, to the immortal, invisible, solitary God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

Luke 15: 1- 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:
15:4 “What man among you, who has one hundred sheep, and if he will have lost one of them, would not leave the ninety-nine in the desert and go after the one whom he had lost, until he finds it?
15:5 And when he has found it, he places it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
15:6 And returning home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them: ‘Congratulate me! For I have found my sheep, which had been lost.’
15:7 I say to you, that there will be so much more joy in heaven over one sinner repenting, than over the ninety-nine just, who do not need to repent.
15:8 Or what woman, having ten drachmas, if she will have lost one drachma, would not light a candle, and sweep the house, and diligently search until she finds it?
15:9 And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying: ‘Rejoice with me! For I have found the drachma, which I had lost.’
15:10 So I say to you, there will be joy before the Angels of God over even one sinner who is repentant.”
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.’ ”