Our Lord told these parables in response to the pharisees criticism that he dined with sinners, as a way of signaling that he has come precisely for sinners, and that the pharisees should be rejoicing over this fact.
The saints we honor today, a martyred Pope and a martyred bishop from the 3rd century were church leaders who were concerned with the reconciliation of sinners.
During a particularly violent persecution of the Church, led by the roman emperor Decius, many Christians, in order to save their lives, underwent the public, state-mandated ritual of offering incense to the Roman Gods. Others, trying to get around the actual burning of incense, bribed authorities to obtain a document which stated that they had offered such sacrifices. But that document till said, basically, “I deny Christ”. It’s still a public act—still an act of apostasy.
Now the Gospels are pretty clear that we are to hold fast to Christ to the end; we are to publicly proclaim him as Lord despite worldly pressures.
As the persecutions died down, the question arose: can these apostates be readmitted to communion? So, in the year 251, Pope Cornelius, whom we honor today, called a synod in Rome, and after presumably hearing from his bishop and theologians, declared that, yes, the apostates could be restored to communion, as long as they underwent what he called “the usual medicines of repentance”. After all, St. Peter, prince of the apostles and first Pope and bishop of Rome had denied Christ three times, publicly.
That through penance and firm purpose of amendment, a sinner could be readmitted to Communion again. Pope Cornelius was supported in this pronouncement by many bishops, but especially St. Cyprian, the most important bishop in North Africa, who was one of the most important theologians and writers of the time.
There is no sin so great that it cannot be absolved in the Sacrament of Confession. God forgives repentant sinners, including those who have publicly denied him. There are many Catholics, who for whatever reason: anger at God, pride, public pressure, attachment to sin, have renounced their faith or lost their faith, either publicly or in their heart. They are the lost, like the lost sheep, the lost coin, the lost son.
But God is working, always, to help them to find their way back home before it is too late, before they are lost forever. And, he enlists us in this work: to preach the Gospel to them, to go out to them to invite them home, to prick their consciences perhaps, reminding them of their eternal soul and God’s love for them.
The angels of heaven who rejoice over the conversion of sinners, want to help us to do our part in the reconciliation of those who have fallen away. Unlike the joyless second son in Sunday’s Gospel, we welcome sinners home with great celebration.
Through the intercession of Saints Cornelius and Cyprian may we faithfully bear God’s mercy to all those in need of it, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
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That the Pope and all the clergy may be effective instruments of mercy, and for the grace and strength to seek out the lost, last, and least.
That through the intercession of the martyrs Cornelius and Cyprian, lapsed Catholics will be moved to return to the Sacraments.
For all the needs of the sick and the suffering, the homebound, those in nursing homes and hospitals, the underemployed and unemployed, victims of natural disaster, war, and terrorism, for all those who grieve the loss of a loved one, and those who will die today, for their comfort, and the consolation of their families.
For the repose of the souls of our beloved dead, for all of the poor souls in purgatory, for the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish, for the deceased priests, deacons and religious of the diocese of Cleveland, and for those who have fought and died for our freedom.
Incline your merciful ear to our prayers, we ask, O Lord, and listen in kindness to the supplications of those who call on you. Through Christ our Lord.
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