THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT C
COOPERATE WITH GRACE
Lk 13: 1-9
MESSAGE
Today’s Gospel clarifies a muddles comprehension of God in the mind of the Jews, that sadly persists to our day. They believe, as many of us still do, that God is punisher; that God is an angry judge out to punish us for our sins.
The Lord Jesus proclaims the truth, that although we suffer in life, it is because we make the wrong choices, not because God consigns us to misery. Because we refuse to listen to the Lord, then we are deceived by the world. Because we avoid intimacy with God, then we lack the grace we need in life. Because we neglect to love and sacrifice, we are encased in our selfishness.
But God is Father, a loving father and not a punisher. Yes, he is also a judge of our actions but throughout the Gospel of Luke, we find that God’s judgment is teeming above all, with mercy. Like the gardener, God sees a second chance where there appears to be none. He gives not just a second, but a third, a fourth, a fifth… many, many chances for repentance and conversion.
This Lent, let us renew our hope in God our Father. Hope is his gift, but it is also an effort to keep and grow. That is why St. Paul says, we need to hope against hope. We need to cooperate, to say “Yes” to the God of many chances.
REFLECT
Do not consider your Lenten practices as backbreaking labor to win God’s favor. He loves you more than you love yourself. Rather, may your humble actions in this season be your cooperation with Jesus towards the gifts he offers: renewal, forgiveness, healing, and abundant hope!
