Third Sunday of Lent March 20, 2022
Exodus 3:1-8a,13-15; 1 Corinthians 10:1-6,1-12; Luke 13:1-9
John D. Rockefeller built the great Standard Oil Empire. Not
surprisingly, Rockefeller was a man who demanded high performance from his
executives. One day, one of those executives made a two million dollar mistake.
Word of the man's enormous error quickly spread and all were scared to meet the
boss. One man didn't have any choice, however, since he had an appointment with
the boss. So he straightened his shoulders and walked into Rockefeller's office.
As he approached Rockefeller's desk, he looked up from the piece of paper on
which he was writing. "I guess you've heard about the two million dollar
mistake our friend made," he said abruptly. "Yes," the executive said,
expecting Rockefeller to explode. "Well, I've been sitting here listing
all of our friend's good qualities, and I've discovered that in the past he has
made us many more times the amount he lost for us today by his one mistake. His
good points far outweigh this one human error. So I think we ought to forgive
him, don't you?"
In today’s Gospel Jesus was confronted about two issues;
Pilate’s brutality to the Galileans and the sad fate of eighteen people who
were killed when the tower of Siloam fell. The people informed Jesus of these
two situations thinking that they were better off. While it was true that they
were suffering oppression and injustice from the Romans, for Jesus, even those
whose cause is just need conversion. One who seeks justice is not exempted from
being just! But the lesson is clear; just as the fig tree is given a chance to
bear fruit, all of us will be given chances to repent and bear fruit. The
opportunity should be seized as soon as possible.
Jesus gives a very good lesson here. He was not saying that
Pilate was blameless. Pilate was known for his cruelty. The people were
challenging Jesus’ position with regards to what Pilate did to His fellow
Galileans. But Jesus will not be provoked. Instead, He brought the situation to
a higher ground. Instead of dealing with Pilate, He turned to the people and
appeal for their repentance. It is now the opportune time to change and bear
fruit. Thus, He told them the parable of the barren fig tree.
The parable of the useless fig tree while it applies
directly to the stubborn Jews of Christ’s time has a lesson for all times and
for all sinners. God’s mercy is infinite but man’s earthly life, during which
he can obtain the divine mercy, is very finite.
God’s mercy can forgive sins no matter how grievous but it cannot
forgive even less serious sins unless the sinner is sorry and asks for
forgiveness. Christ the high priest who
is the mediator between God and man is continually interceding for us but
unless we do our part of repenting and changing our behaviour, his intercession
will be of no avail to us. God does not want anyone to be destroyed but he
always respects our freedom and humility to repent. He calls us to be vigilant
and alert to listen to him and respond to him.
The gardener in the parable is Jesus himself who pleads for us
continuously.
During this season of lent, we ask the grace to live in a
continual spirit of renewal and repentance. Repentance demands that we become
honest to ourselves and recognise our unfruitfulness and change ourselves to
bear the right fruit for God. Moses was asked to change his view and do his
mission. Each fig tree is expected to bear fruit that represents the good works
and virtues of those who help to build the Body of Christ. Each must answer his
calling according to where he has been sent by God. The fig tree is called upon
to be generous in the fulfilment of the mission. We have to recognise our nothingness before
God and be ready to receive him during this season of Lent. It is only after
such a serious reflection that we shall have that remorse for our failures. Let
us ask ourselves, whether God is using this Lenten Season to shower his
abundant graces upon us through Jesus Christ so we will repent and transform
our lives.
Have you been enjoying God’s special treatment without
giving anything in return? If so, respond to the gardener’s patient care, and
begin to bear the fruit God has created you to produce. Life is wonderful. Life is precious. Life is also short. We have got to make the best use of every day
that we are granted. We are each the fig
tree in the parable. The Father owns the
vineyard; the Son is the gardener giving us the ability to grow. The Spirit is the gifts that we have which
will attract others. But we have free
will. It is up to us to choose to bear
fruit for the Lord. As we look at our lives during Lent, we ask ourselves: Are
we bearing fruit?
Happy Sunday
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