Sunday Homily, March 10, 2013, 4th Lent C
Readings:
Joshua 5, 9-12, Today I have removed the reproach of Egypt from you.
Psalm 34, Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.
2 Corinthians 5, 17-21, We are ambassadors for Christ.
Luke 15, 1-32, A man had two sons, The Prodigal Son.
Introduction and homily by John Cade
Some words about today’s readings, especially Joshua:
WHAT: The book of Joshua is the 6th book of the Hebrew Scripture and of the Christian Old Testament.
WHO: The name Joshua has the same root in Hebrew as the name Jesus has in Greek. Joshua was the young man Moses chose to be his military captain in their conflicts with other tribes in their wanderings for 40 years prior to entering the land God had promised them. In the Book of Deuteronomy (5th book of Pentateuch), Moses had a lapse of confidence in the Lord’s plan, following his sending the 12 spies into Caanan and getting a negative intelligence report (all except Joshua and Caleb said ‘don’t go’—giants and outnumbered, etc.).
That’s when the Lord told Moses he would not enter the Promised Land and that Joshua would be the only adult not born in Egypt to enter the promised land. After Moses died, Joshua was called by God to lead the people into the promised land.
WHEN: Scripture scholars generally agree that the Book of Joshua has little historical value for early Israel, that it actually reflects a much later period, and that it was written by multiple authors and editors. Guess when scholars think the book of Joshua was compiled in its present form? Yes, after the fall of Jerusalem (around 555) during or after the Babylonian captivity.
WHY: Bible scholars say the intent of Joshua was theological, a teaching about Israel’s call to keep the covenant given through Moses, and to show what happens when you keep the covenant and what happens when you don’t. There are horror stories in this book, like when the Israelites are instructed to destroy every breathing being of the tribes they replaced. Today we debate about the U.S. military’s drone program, about whether it is legal or ethical to kill an enemy if innocent non-combatants might also be hurt, or to kill a U.S. citizen who has now become an enemy. They seemed to have had no qualms in Joshua’s time about such fine points.
Today’s Reading from Joshua: It’s a passage that celebrates the Israelites’ crossing over the River Jordan and their entrance into the promised land. For the first time they have food from the land to eat and are no longer in need of the manna that God provided during the 40 years they wandered in the desert.
Then in the reading from Luke we hear how Jesus describes in a parable that God is like a merciful parent, accepting with love rather than vengeful or punishing. The Good News proclaimed by Jesus—the new Joshua—turned the old covenant on its head—now the covenant is about the preeminence of love and the fullness of life for all people everywhere, including strangers and enemies and sinners.
Homily:
This reading speaks for itself and doesn’t need much else. My words today will be brief.
There is a strong link between the covenant between God and the Israelites of Joshua’s time and the covenant announced by Jesus for all people and exemplified in the story of the ‘prodigal son’ or ‘the merciful father’
The original covenant was made between God and Abraham, and followed with Isaac and Jacob, Joseph and Moses and Joshua. Three times there is mention of a Passover meal to mark this covenant between God and the Jewish people.
The first Passover meal was when the people prepared to flee Egypt with Moses; the second mention is when Moses received the 10 Command-ments at Mt. Sinai; and the third is when the Israelites entered with Joshua into the promised land. In Joshua and in Luke there is the story of gathering for a meal or feast (like our pot luck feasts), to celebrate acceptance by the merciful father. Jesus himself, before he died, shared a Passover Meal with his friends. We celebrate that way today and every Sunday by gathering for a ritual meal we call the Mass. This gathering and sharing is the sign of our connection with God and God’s acceptance, mercy and love, extended to all.
Friday I heard that the Cardinals in Rome will open their conclave on Tuesday and they too will gather for a meal, a special Mass, as they select a successor to Benedict XVI to lead our world-wide community as an accepting, merciful and loving parent.
My question for you is: When is the last time you received acceptance and mercy from someone? & How do you show acceptance and mercy with your family, your community and all people?
“You must rejoice, for your brother was dead and has come to life; he was lost and is found.”