Resources, Prayers, Games, and Lesson Plans
More Thoughts and Reflection Questions
Quotes and Social Media Graphics
Mass Readings for the 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C
- First Reading – Exodus 32:7-11, 13-14: Moses persuades God to spare the Israelites, who've turned to idolatry, by invoking God's covenant with their forefathers, prompting God to relent from His intended punishment.punishment on his people.
- Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 51: A plea for forgiveness, spiritual cleansing, and God's presence, coupled with a commitment to praise and humble contrition.
- Second Reading – 1 Timothy 1:12-17: A thankful acknowledgment of God's mercy and grace, transforming a former persecutor into a dedicated servant, demonstrating Christ's patience and His mission to save sinners.
- Gospel – Luke 15:1-32: Jesus tells three parables: the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son. He emphasizes God's joy when even one lost sinner repents and returns, illustrating the Father's love and forgiveness. These parables highlight the importance of seeking the lost, celebrating their repentance, and extending grace to those who come back to God.
Themes for the 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C
The readings for the 24th 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).
- Lost and Found: The parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son illustrate God's relentless pursuit of those who are lost, His joy in their repentance, and His willingness to restore them to a loving relationship with Him.
- God's Compassion and Mercy: These parables reveal God's compassionate heart towards sinners and His willingness to extend mercy and forgiveness to those who repent and turn back to Him.
- Repentance and Reconciliation: The parables highlight the importance of repentance and the joyous reconciliation that comes when a lost person is found and restored to the fold.
- Celebration and Joy in Heaven: The parables emphasize the rejoicing that takes place in heaven when a sinner repents, underscoring the immense value God places on each individual and His desire for all to experience salvation.
- The Father's Unconditional Love: The parable of the prodigal son showcases the Father's unconditional love, His willingness to forgive and restore even the most wayward child, and His desire for reconciliation and unity within the family.
- The Danger of Self-Righteousness: The parable of the elder son warns against self-righteousness and highlights the need for humility and a compassionate heart towards sinners.
See the Homilies and Reflections section and the More Thoughts section for further expansion on these readings and some reflection questions for the 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C.
Resources for the 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C
A Tale of Two Sons – Lesson Plan on the Prodigal Son
A Tale of Two Sons – Lesson Plan on the Prodigal Son
This lesson plan guides youth to grasp the deeper perspective that followers of Jesus should have when considering concepts like freedom and duty. By examining the example of the generous father in the parable, young learners will discover how to live out these principles within the context of love. This lesson plan encourages a shift in mindset from the world's viewpoint to a more Christ-centered approach, aligning with the themes of forgiveness, reconciliation, and the transformative power of God's love found in the readings for the 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C.
Washed Away Prayer Service
This prayer service, fitting for the 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C, serves as a meaningful accompaniment to the Sacrament of Reconciliation or for discussions on forgiveness and baptism in youth ministry. It incorporates Psalm 51. The tangible elements of water and washing symbolize how Jesus Christ, through His sacrifice on the cross, has washed away our sins.
What Do I Treasure? Activity and Reflection Questions
The "What Do I Treasure? Activity and Reflection Questions" connect with the themes of the 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C. Jesus frequently challenged people to examine their values and priorities. Through parables like the Pearl of Great Price, the Buried Treasure, and the Lost Coin, he highlighted the importance of recognizing what truly matters to us and to our Heavenly Father.
Treasure Hunt Game
The Treasure Hunt game is a versatile activity suitable for both indoor and outdoor settings, appealing to participants of all ages, including older VBS or youth ministry students. It aligns with the themes of the 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C, as it reflects the concept of seeking and valuing hidden treasures. By engaging in this game, participants can experience the excitement of the hunt while also contemplating the deeper message of the parables about what we truly treasure in our lives.
Buried Treasure Game
The Buried Treasure game is an enjoyable activity suitable for participants of all ages. It perfectly fits in well with the themes of the 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C. The game's concept of seeking hidden treasures parallels the parables shared by Jesus, emphasizing the value of what is truly important. By incorporating smaller and more challenging treasures for older players, the game provides an engaging and interactive experience that encourages reflection on the deeper meaning of treasures in our lives.
Homilies and Reflections for the 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C
God Is Crazy In Love With You (Bishop Robert Barron)
Lost, Forgotten, Left Out, Alone (Jeff Cavins)
In this homily for the 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C, Bishop Robert Barron reflects on Luke's Gospel parables that reveal God's radical love. He describes God as "crazy in love" with us, including the lost and prodigal. Barron emphasizes radical imitation of God's love, challenging the idea of earning it through actions. God's love surpasses logic and calculations. Through parables, like the lost sheep, coin, and prodigal son, God relentlessly seeks and rejoices over all, even the seemingly insignificant. God's love encompasses all, without discrimination. The homily urges us to embrace and mirror God's extravagant love in our lives.
In this reflection on the 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C, Jeff Cavins explores feeling forgotten or forsaken. He notes the paradox of social media in our hyperconnected world, where many still feel alone. Drawing from the readings, Cavins highlights redemption stories like the prodigal son, Moses, and Paul. These stories show God seeking out the lost, focusing on restoring the one in need. The prodigal son's return depicts the father's eagerness to reconcile. Cavins emphasizes God's pursuit of each listener and encourages approaching confession to embrace it. There, God eagerly offers forgiveness and reconciliation. Cavins assures that despite past actions or shame, God's relentless pursuit leads to a life as a beloved child.
Fr. Mike Schmitz shares a heartwarming story of his niece being comforted by her mother when sick. This highlights the impact of someone caring for us in times of need. He emphasizes that Jesus loves us because of our weaknesses and that God's love is for sinners and broken individuals. Fr. Mike challenges the belief that one must be perfect to be chosen. He encourages listeners to embrace God's redemption and love, not disqualifying themselves based on weaknesses. We are special because God chooses us, not our merits. This fits in with the themes for Sunday of the 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C.
Seeking the Lost
In this reflection for the 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C, Scott Hahn discusses Israel's original sin of worshipping the golden calf. This sin represents the sin of the world, including ours. Despite our rebellion, God remains faithful to His covenant through Jesus. Jesus came to save sinners, offering mercy even to blasphemers and persecutors. In the Gospel, we approach Him to listen and offer our contrite hearts as an acceptable sacrifice. In this Eucharist, we rejoice with angels and saints, knowing that our offenses are wiped out. We celebrate turning away from evil and embracing the life God intended for us. These are the happiest words the world has ever known.
A Coin, A Sheep, A Son
In this homily for the 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C, Bishop Robert Barron reflects on the three parables in today's Gospel that emphasize the central idea of God actively seeking us. He questions why God would concern Himself with a single soul. The answer lies in God's nature and purpose. Recovering a lost soul brings Him joy, as demonstrated through the parables of the lost coin, the lost sheep, and the prodigal son. God's relentless pursuit and rejoicing over a lost soul reveal His boundless love and compassion. These parables invite us to recognize the profound value God places on each individual and remind us that we are never beyond His reach or His mercy.
More Thoughts for the 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C
Searching for That Sheep
In Jesus' first parable in the gospel for the 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C, a flock of 100 sheep would have been considered large for the people he was speaking to. It would have likely been a combined flock from multiple families, with each family providing shepherds to watch over it. When one sheep went missing, the task of finding it would have been given to the youngest and least experienced shepherd.
This situation would have been relatable for some of the listeners, as they could remember being in the same position, searching for stray sheep while the other shepherds stayed behind. They could imagine the physical challenges of walking through rough terrain and the frustration they felt towards the lost sheep.
However, the parable takes a surprising twist. When the shepherd finds the lost sheep, he is filled with joy. Despite the hard work and effort, he celebrates the recovery of the sheep by calling the local community together for a celebration. This illustrates how Jesus views us. Despite our struggles and the hardships he endures, he experiences overwhelming joy when we are restored to him.
God's Relentless Pursuit
In the second parable in the gospel for the 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C, Jesus tells the story of a woman who loses a coin but finds it after a diligent search. The parable symbolizes God's relentless pursuit of those who have strayed and His joy when they return to Him. It highlights the immense worth God places on each individual and His offer of forgiveness and reconciliation. We are reminded of God's deep love for us and His constant desire for our return.
The parable challenges us to extend the same love and grace to others, to seek out the lost, and to share the good news of God's mercy. We should never underestimate the value of a single soul and strive to be agents of God's love and reconciliation in the world.
Unconditional Love and Reconciliation
The parable of the prodigal son in the gospel for the 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C also highlights the danger of pride and self-righteousness. The elder brother in the story becomes resentful when he sees the lavish welcome given to his wayward sibling. His reaction reminds us of the importance of cultivating a humble and compassionate heart, recognizing that we too have been recipients of God's mercy and grace.
It encourages us to embrace a spirit of reconciliation and unity, extending love and forgiveness not only to those who have strayed but also to those who may struggle with their own inner battles. Through the parable, we are reminded of the power of forgiveness, compassion, and the transformative impact they can have on our relationships and our own spiritual growth.
Reflection Questions for the 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C
- How does the parable of the lost sheep in Luke 15:1-7 illustrate God's relentless pursuit of those who are lost? How does it challenge your understanding of God's love and grace?
- In the parable of the lost coin (Luke 15:8-10), the woman diligently searches for the lost coin and rejoices upon finding it. What does this story teach us about the value God places on each individual and the joy that comes with repentance and reconciliation?
- Reflect on the character of the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-32. How does his journey from rebellion and brokenness to repentance and restoration resonate with your own life experiences? In what ways can you relate to his struggles and his need for forgiveness?
- The parable also introduces the character of the elder brother. How does his reaction to the father's forgiveness challenge your own attitudes and tendencies towards judgment and self-righteousness? How can we cultivate a spirit of compassion and understanding towards those who have made mistakes?
- Consider the father's response in the parable. What does his extravagant love and forgiveness reveal about God's character and his desire for reconciliation with his children? How can we reflect this same love and forgiveness in our relationships with others?
- In Luke 15:31-32, the father reminds the elder son that everything he has belongs to him. How does this reminder challenge our understanding of God's abundance and our role as stewards of his blessings? How can we cultivate a spirit of gratitude and generosity in response to God's grace?
- How does the parable of the prodigal son challenge our preconceived notions of who deserves forgiveness and love? How can we extend God's grace to those who may have hurt or disappointed us?
- Reflect on your own journey of faith. In what ways have you experienced God's relentless pursuit, forgiveness, and restoration? How can you share your own story of God's grace with others?
- How can the parable of the prodigal son inspire us to be agents of reconciliation and forgiveness in our families, communities, and the world around us?
- What steps can you take to cultivate a humble and compassionate heart, embracing the values of forgiveness, grace, and reconciliation in your daily life?
Quotes and Social Media Graphics for the 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C
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.
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