Encountering the Living God in the Ordinary : A Call to Trust

03rd Sunday of Lent: March 23, 2025

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

 To listen to my audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/donfDugrVRo

Death and destruction are part of our lives. Often we find it difficult to understand the suffering, death and loss that occur in our lives. Sadly, they do not allow us to live in peace. We find no meaning in such incidences which are so painful and seldom they happen successively, one after the other. Due to such unbearable experiences, we might lose hope in God and ourselves as well. The history of humanity has been a tale of such happenings and experiences. We find it difficult to harness and learn from experiences until they happen to us and we are part of this unhappy phenomenon. The liturgical readings on this Third Sunday of Lent give us experiences that occurred in the lives of Israelites. Jesus' explanations to the crowd leave them more confused as their thinking is limited.

1. A Call to Repentance and Fruitfulness

In today’s Gospel, Luke 13:1–9 Jesus responds to two tragic events: The slaughter of Galileans by Pilate and the collapse of a tower in Siloam. The people assume that those who suffered from these tragedies were worse sinners than others. But Jesus challenges this mindset. Rather than focusing on why bad things happen, He turns the question toward personal conversion: “Unless you repent, you will all perish as they did.” Jesus’ words today are not meant to instill fear but to wake us from spiritual sluggishness or laziness. God’s patience is a gift, but it is not to be taken for granted. We are called to respond, to repent, and to bear fruit—not tomorrow, but today.

Lent is a time of self-examination, and Jesus reminds us that external misfortunes are not signs of divine punishment. Instead, the real urgency lies in our need to repent—to turn back to God with sincerity. Repentance is not merely about feeling sorry for our sins but about allowing God’s grace to transform us. It is allowing God to cultivate our hearts of tenderness and mercy.

2. Spiritual boldness in the face of desert experiences

Jesus then tells the parable of the barren fig tree. The owner of the vineyard wants to cut it down because it has not borne fruit for three years. Yet the gardener intercedes, asking for one more year to cultivate and care for it. This image is both a warning and a message of hope. God is patient with us, but His patience calls for a response. The fig tree is given time, but not indefinite time. For a practicing Christian, this passage invites two concrete responses:

1. A personal call to examine our spiritual fruitfulness. Are we bearing the fruit of love, forgiveness, generosity, and mercy in our daily lives? Have we grown complacent in our faith, thinking that mere religious practice is enough? Lent is a season to be “dug around” and “fertilized” by prayer, fasting, and acts of charity.
2. A call to intercede for others. The gardener’s plea reminds us of our role in accompanying those who struggle in faith. Do we give up on people too quickly? Do we pray for others with the same persistence, asking God to nurture them?

3. Encountering the God of life in the Ordinary

In today’s reading Exodus 3:1–8, 13–15, Moses encounters God in the burning bush—an ordinary sight transformed by God’s presence. What begins as curiosity turns into a life-changing moment. God reveals Himself, calling Moses to lead His people out of slavery in Egypt. Sometimes we expect God only in grand spiritual experiences like retreats, liturgies, etc, but He often speaks in the ordinary—through people, challenges, and moments of silence. Are we paying attention? Do we take time to listen to His voice in our daily lives?

Moses hesitated, questioning his ability to fulfill God’s call. But God assured him, “I will be with you.” We, too, can feel unworthy or incapable of what God asks of us—whether in our family, workplace, or service in the Church. But God does not call the equipped; He equips the called. Like Moses, we are not sent alone; His presence goes before us. God is not distant or abstract but ever-present, unchanging, and faithful. Let us trust in His presence when we feel inadequate. Like Moses, we may not feel ready, but God is with us.

Questions for self-reflection:

1. Do we truly trust in the unshakable presence of God in our struggles, uncertainties, and doubts?
2. Do I take time to recognize God’s presence in my daily life?
3. How can I be more attentive to God speaking through people, situations, or moments of silence?

Prayer based on Psalm 103

Heavenly Father, I praise You with all my heart, for You are kind and merciful. You forgive my sins, heal my wounds, and lift me from despair. Your love surrounds me like a shield, and Your grace renews my strength.

Lord, You are just and compassionate, defending the weak and showing patience to the sinner. Your mercy is greater than the heavens, reaching all who trust in You. Teach me to walk in Your ways, to remember Your goodness, and to share Your love with others. May my soul never forget Your blessings, and may my life be a reflection of Your boundless love. I make this prayer in Jesus' Holy Name, Amen.

- Olvin Veigas, SJ

March 21, 2025