Third Sunday of Lent (Year C)

 Third Sunday of Lent March 23, 2025

Exodus 3:1-8a,13-15; 1 Corinthians 10:1-6,1-12; Luke 13:1-9

(Image courtesy: Google)

In his memoirs, Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the Indian nation, humbly and frankly acknowledges that, when he was fifteen, he stole a little piece of gold from his brother. A few days later, he felt very guilty and decided to come clean by confessing to his father. So, he took a paper, admitted his fault, sincerely asked his father for forgiveness and promised never to repeat the offence. Taking that note to the bedroom of his father, the young Gandhi found him ill in bed. Very timidly he handed the note to his father without saying a word. His father sat up in bed and began reading the note. As he read it, the senior Gandhi was so deeply moved by the honesty, sincerity and courage of his son that tears began to stream from his eyes. This so touched the son that he burst into tears as well. Instinctively both father and son wrapped their arms around each other and wordlessly shared their mutual admiration and joy. This notable experience made such an impact on Gandhi that years later he would say, “Only the person who has experienced this kind of forgiving love can know what it is.”

The parable of the fig tree has been called the “Gospel of the second chance.” The vinedresser pleads for the tree, asking that it be given another year to bear fruit. We always live in the hope and mercy of God who keeps giving us “second chances” to rise from the ashes of sin to rebuild and reform our lives.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells a story of a fig tree that has not borne fruit for three years. The owner of the vineyard is ready to cut it down, but the gardener intercedes, “Sir, leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.”

This parable reveals the patience of God. Like the fig tree, we sometimes fail to bear fruit in our spiritual lives. We may become indifferent in our faith, neglect our prayers, or allow sin to take root. But God does not immediately condemn us. Instead, He offers us grace, nourishment, and time to change. He gives us another chance.

The first reading from Exodus also illustrates this beautifully. Moses, once a fugitive who had killed an Egyptian, is given another chance when God appears to him in the burning bush and calls him to lead His people out of slavery. Moses had once failed, but God had not given up on him. Like Moses and the barren fig tree, God gives us opportunities to grow, to turn away from sin, and to become the people He created us to be.

While God is patient, He also calls us to act now. The parable does not suggest an endless amount of time. The fig tree is given just one more year—there is a limit to the chances we receive. Jesus begins the Gospel by mentioning two tragic events:

Pilate’s killing of Galileans,

A tower in Siloam collapsing and killing eighteen people.

His response is striking, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as they did.”

These events remind us that life is unpredictable. We do not know when our final moment will come. Now is the time to repent and bear fruit. Lent is our opportunity—a season where God gives us yet another chance to turn back to Him in prayer, fasting, and works of mercy.

The barren fig tree represents those who have faith but fail to live it out. True faith is not just about believing in God; it is about producing the fruits of love, justice, and mercy.

To bear fruit means:

A transformed heart – Growing in love for God and neighbour.

A commitment to prayer – Strengthening our relationship with God.

Acts of mercy – Helping the poor, forgiving others, and spreading peace.

Living out the Gospel – Being a witness in our daily lives.

As St. Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 10:12, we must not be complacent, “Whoever thinks he is standing secure should take care not to fall.” Lent is a time for self-examination: Are we bearing the fruits that God expects from us? Are we growing in holiness?

In the parable, the gardener pleads for the fig tree. He does not abandon it but takes extra care to fertilize it. This gardener represents Jesus, our intercessor, who continually pleads for us before the Father. Through the Sacraments, especially Confession and the Eucharist, Jesus nourishes us with His grace. Like the gardener, He cultivates our hearts, softening them with His mercy and pruning away what is harmful. God does not simply give us time; He also provides everything we need to bear fruit. The question is: Are we allowing Him to work in our lives?

Let us Seize the Second Chance

The message of today’s Gospel is clear: God is merciful, but time is limited. He gives us chance after chance, but we must respond before it is too late.

As we continue our Lenten journey, let us: Examine our hearts – What areas of our lives need conversion?

Use the means of grace – Seek God through prayer, fasting, and the Sacraments.

Bear fruit – Live out our faith in love and service.

God is giving us another chance today. Let us not waste it. “The Lord is kind and merciful.” (Psalm 103:8)

Happy Sunday