Scripture themes of mercy, compassion, forgiveness

[StratusRose]

I have to compose a morning prayer for the RCIA class tomorrow. The director asked me to include Scripture themes of mercy, compassion and forgiveness. Any Ideas???

 

[Joe_5859]

I have to compose a morning prayer for the RCIA class tomorrow. The director asked me to include Scripture themes of mercy, compassion and forgiveness. Any Ideas???

Use the Liturgy of the Hours! The Church already made a daily prayer (actually 7 times a day prayer!) No need to reinvent the wheel!

Sorry for the tongue-in-cheek reply! I’m always amazed by the fact that many catechists feel like they need to make their own prayer services when the Church has already done that for us!

Okay, now I promise I’ll actually answer your question!

The best Scripture passage that addresses mercy, compassion, and forgiveness would have to be the Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15). Actually, the three parables of Luke 15 (the Lost Sheep, the Lost coin, and the lost son) are all appropriate for this theme.

Good luck!

 

[Joe_5859]

Another good prayer on mercy is the Divine Mercy Chaplet.

 

[StratusRose]

Thanks for the ideas! We already to Liturgy of the Hours for the regular classes. I wanted to switch it up a little…but I like the idea of the prodigal son.

 

[Joe_5859]

Thanks for the ideas! We already to Liturgy of the Hours for the regular classes. I wanted to switch it up a little…but I like the idea of the prodigal son.

No problem! I was only half-serious about my little Liturgy of the Hours tirade. Of course it’s good to show people as much as we can of the Church’s prayer traditions!

Have you ever used Bibila Clerus? It’s a Bible study tool put out by the Vatican Congregation for the Clergy. They link to the writings of the Early Church Fathers, the saints, and magisterial documents that reference particular passages of Scripture. Here’s the commentary on the Parable of the Prodigal Son:

clerus.org/bibliaclerusonline/en/9ard4qo.htm

I’m not sure if you’re just reading Scripture, or if you have the opportunity to compose a reflection on it. If you do, this might be helpful. Also, John Paul II’s Apostolic Exhortation on Reconciliation and Penance also has a good reflection on the Parable of the Prodigal Son (particularly paragraphs 5 & 6).

 

[StratusRose]

I think I’m going to use tomorrow’s gospel reading…

Today’s Gospel taken from the USCCB

Luke, Chapter 5: Verses 27-32

Jesus saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the customs post.
He said to him, “Follow me.”
And leaving everything behind, he got up and followed him.
Then Levi gave a great banquet for him in his house,
and a large crowd of tax collectors
and others were at table with them.
The Pharisees and their scribes complained to his disciples, saying,
“Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?”
Jesus said to them in reply,
“Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but the sick do.
I have not come to call the righteous to repentance but sinners.”

 

[Joe_5859]

I think I’m going to use tomorrow’s gospel reading…

Today’s Gospel taken from the USCCB

Luke, Chapter 5: Verses 27-32

Jesus saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the customs post.
He said to him, “Follow me.”
And leaving everything behind, he got up and followed him.
Then Levi gave a great banquet for him in his house,
and a large crowd of tax collectors
and others were at table with them.
The Pharisees and their scribes complained to his disciples, saying,
“Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?”
Jesus said to them in reply,
“Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but the sick do.
I have not come to call the righteous to repentance but sinners.”

That’s a good choice. It’s always good to use the readings of the day. Being Lent, there’s probably a good chance that they address the theme of mercy and forgiveness!