24th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C
Sunday, September 11, 2022
The readings for Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C focus on God’s mercy and love for us. In the first reading God is faithful to his unfaithful people. The psalm is a plea for mercy. In the second reading Paul speaks of God’s mercy for him, for he once persecuted Christians. In the gospel Jesus tells the parables of the Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin, and the Lost Son (or the Prodigal Son or the Forgiving Father).
God never tires of waiting for us. When we turn away, He comes to look for us; when we fall, He picks us up; when we return to Him after losing our way, He waits for us with open arms. His love is always gives us the courage to start anew.
Pope Francis
Daily Mass Readings for the 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C
- First Reading – Exodus 32:7-11, 13-14: “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?”
- Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 51 “I will rise and go to my father.”
- Second Reading – 1 Timothy 1:12-17: “This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.”
- Gospel – Luke 15:1-32: “My son, you are here with me always; everything I have is yours. 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.”
Themes for the Readings for the 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C
- Do I really believe in God’s mercy?
- How does that change my life?
- Do I realize I am treasured?
- What do I treasure?
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Resources for the 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C
Washed Away Prayer Service
This washed away prayer service makes a nice accompaniment to the Sacrament of Reconciliation and return to the Lord. It incorporates Psalm 51, which is the responsorial psalm for the 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C.
Saint Paul: Persecutor to Apostle
Conversion is an ongoing, lifelong, daily experience. This video provides wonderful background material for a youth ministry discussion about discipleship, the epistles of St. Paul, or conversion.
There Will Be Rejoicing Among the Angels of God
“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.” Get a social media graphic for the 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C.
What Do I Treasure? Activity and Reflection Questions
Jesus often challenged people about their values. The Pearl of Great Price, the Buried Treasure, the Lost Coin are all parables about what is important to us and to our Heavenly Father. He also observed the poor widow, who gave all she had to the temple treasury. This exercise helps us consider what is valuable to us.
Buried Treasure Game
Buried Treasure is a fun game for all ages. It works well for Vacation Bible School or youth ministry. Everyone enjoys playing in a sandbox! For older players, use smaller treasures to make them more difficult to find.
Treasure Hunt Game
Treasure Hunt is a really easy activity to do either indoors or outdoors. And your older VBS or youth ministry students will enjoy it as much as the younger ones.