JUNE 25, 2017
12:00 NOON EXTRAORDINARY FORM MASS
The "Groat" is an English silver coin, first minted sometime around the late 13th or early 14th century. It was originally valued at fourpence. Strictly speaking, that would have meant it should have contained 6.2 grams of silver, but only weighed 5.8, and eventually decreased in weight to 4.7 … 3.9 … 3.1 … until two hundred years later, groats were weighing in at 2.1 grams. They fell out of circulation for a couple of centuries, but were re-minted irregularly during the late colonial era, and by then they weighed 1.9 grams!
We hear about “groats” in today’s Gospel. Jesus first talks about the man who searches high and low for his lost sheep. Considering how stupid sheep usually are, and that leaving 99 alone might mean that if he finds this one he very well may have lost a couple during his searching … should demonstrate that this is perhaps not the most practical thing to do.
Similarly, the groat lost by the woman is all-but-worthless. Yet she goes to great lengths to find it.
The lesson for us, is that such is the “prodigality” of God’s mercy.
Now “prodigal” means “wasteful.” And from a worldly perspective, God should probably be evaluating everyone on a cost-benefit-analysis … but instead the least of persons is valued infinitely by our Loving God and Father.
This knowledge should cause us awe … and in our right mind, bring us to be humbled that the Infinite, Almighty, and Omnipotent God would care for any one of us.
Unfortunately, in many cases it has the opposite effect … that of causing people to presume upon God’s mercy … and failing to show the proper awe and reverence at His super-abundant mercy, love, and grace for us … and indeed for all humanity.
As we approach this altar to receive the Sacred Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ, let us approach with humility and due reverence. Knowing the infinite Sacrifice of Our Lord in order to bring to one poor soul this Sacrament of overflowing goodness.
Let us also pray to persevere in our Faith. That we might never presume upon God’s mercy, but rather always give thanks to Almighty God, through Jesus Christ, in the grace of the Holy Spirit.
