A Call for Conversion to Transformation

 Third Sunday of Lent: Year C - March 20, 2022

Readings: Exodus 3:1–8, 13–15, Psalm 103:1–4, 6–8, 11; 1 Corinthians 10:1–6, 10–12; Luke 13:1–9

(Icon of Jesus referring to the Fig Tree) 
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Everyone has their own stories to narrate. Always stories have something special to say to the person or to the family or to the community. In fact, our life is full of stories, both good and bad, fearful and fascinating, joyful and stressful. In other words, our life is a bundle of stories. We make our lives and determine our future out of these life events, indeed. That is why we become strong and sturdy to face future events which might not be comforting and consoling. The liturgical readings for this 3rd Sunday of Lent once again bring back to our memory God's call to Moses on Mount Horeb and how he responded to it. We also see the very difficult history of Israelites and their struggle with the colonialists, Romans. Even though the readings are quite difficult to understand yet they bring home a profound meaning that we must practice in our lives that is a deep trust in the Lord and readiness to go through repentance and conversion.

1. God's call entails a mission to be fulfilled

The life story of Moses is really captivating. It is full of surprises. All through his life, we see him a man with a different attitude and culture than the rest of his people. He is a person always on the move either for good or bad reasons. He is a man of courage, commitment and perseverance. He is also quick-tempered and humble. The reading of today says it all (Exodus 3:1–8, 13–15). We see how quickly Moses realizes that God is inviting him to carry out his plan for the Israelites. He receives Yahweh's call not in a temple or in a synagogue but on a mountain Horeb while grazing the sheep of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian.

The conversation that goes on between Moses and God is thrilling. Finally, God gives Moses a particular mission that is to rescue and liberate his own people from the clutches of slavery and from the exploitation of Egyptians. God never forgets the covenant, he had made with Abraham (Exodus 2:24). Thus he comes down to rescue his people from slavery. We see how God is infusing courage and strength in Moses so that this tough mission will bring out around 600,000 Israelites out of Egypt (However, this figure is contestable as there are multiple theories on the number).  What is important to note here is that God did not forget his people. He cared for them in spite of the pain and suffering they went through for almost 130 years of slavery there. God remains as a God who cares, liberates and gives a new dream. What matters most is our faithfulness, trust and confidence in him.

2. A  Lenten effort is a call for an ongoing daily transformation of our lives

The Gospel reading takes us into another direction. Jesus stresses repentance and calls people to turn resolutely towards the one who created us. Jesus interprets the painful tragedy of the killing of Galileans which is recorded in the history of the Israelites. Pilate killed Galileans in the middle of their sacrifices because he thought they were rebelling against Rome repeatedly. Thus he mingled their blood with the blood of the sacrificial offerings that are of animals. What Jesus is saying here is this: Instead of blaming others, everyone should look to his or her own day of judgement. 

Whether a person is killed in a tragic accident or miraculously survives is not a measure of righteousness. Everyone has to die; that's part of being human. But not everyone needs to stay dead. Often connecting the death of someone in a misfortune cannot be considered as the wrath of God. This would be cruel and a heartbreaking doctrine, which never should be uttered. Often it is the saints who suffer the most. Tragedies and sufferings show us that life is fragile and vulnerable. Therefore we must be right before God always, thus ready to face death or judgement anytime. Jesus promises that those who believe in him will not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16). Jesus calls for repentance - not a one-time change of heart but an ongoing daily transformation of our lives. Our life must be enshrined with kindness and mercy,  a truly blessed and holy name. Jesus invites us not be perished because of our sinfulness, evil desires and tendencies instead become persons who are deeply rooted in the love of God and in His mercy. 

3. Collective liberation is essential to attain the reign of God

No one can involve himself or herself in self-destruction. Jesus knew that if the Jews went on with their intrigues, rebellions, plottings, fightings, their political ambitions, they were simply going to commit national suicide and destruction. One day or the other, Rome would step in and would obliterate the nation. In fact, this is what happens in 70 AD. Jesus emphasizes building the Kingdom of God rather than an earthly kingdom. Jesus stresses that national sin and suffering are well connected. If the nation continues to get involved in one blunder or the other, even the individual who may be righteous still prone to suffer from the national disaster. However, it is stupidly dangerous to attribute human suffering to human sin; but in principle safe to say that the nation which rebels against God is on the way to disaster.

Lent indeed is a time for us to bear fruit just like that of the fig tree. God does everything so that we become what we are called to be. Just like that gardener of the fig tree, our relationship with God is like that. God is always looking to give us another chance to change and to bear fruit.  God gives the right conditions so that we may grow.  God gives grace in order to keep up the divinity that is within us unshaken and clean.  God does have desires and plans for each of us, just as He had desires and plans for Moses. And so today, let’s consider the times when we have got it wrong. When we have moved through the world in a way that has had a negative impact on others, whether deliberately or accidentally.  It could be down to our individual actions or because of our part in the systems and structures that define how the world works, who benefits and who loses out. Let's work on ourselves by examining faultlines so that we can grow closer to those who are in need, and bear fruit in our world. 

Questions for reflections:

1. Can you recall some of the moments of Holy Ground just like that of Moses?  What is it like to be in that place?
2. Can you think of those people who bring blessings to your life? 
3. God has been working in our lives for ages. Can you recall in your family history moments of God's continuous accompaniments?

Prayer:

Merciful God, forgive us for the things that we have done wrong.  Lord, who has mercy upon all, and mercifully kindle in us the fire of your Holy Spirit. Take away from us the heart of stone, and give us a heart of flesh, a heart to love and adore you, a heart to delight in you, to follow and to enjoy you, for Christ’s sake. Lead us to cultivate our relationships with more care and gentleness, so that all your children may grow and bear the fruit of their potential. 

Help us Lord in this Lenten journey to be open and responsive to the Lord in our daily encounters with our brothers and sisters. Assist us in the remaining time in Lent to listen to your Spirit and follow in your footsteps. We make this prayer in Jesus' Holy Name, Amen.

- Olvin Veigas, SJ

March 18, 2022