HOMILY OF THE 3RD SUNDAY IN LENT — YEAR C
HOMILY OF THE 3RD SUNDAY IN LENT — YEAR C
HOMILY THEME: HEEDING THE WARNING OF THE BARREN FIG TREE !
BY: Fr. Anthony O. Ezeaputa, MA.
Exodus 3:1-8.13-15, 1 Corinthians 10:1-6.10-12, Luke 13:1-9
On this Third Sunday of Lent, we are invited to reflect on our lives and our relationship with God. We have all experienced struggles and setbacks, and maybe we have even wondered if God is punishing us for our sins. But today’s gospel reading (Luke 13:1-9) offers us a different perspective.
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We read that Jesus confronts a crowd still trying to process the brutal slaughter of Galileans by Pilate in the temple (Luke 13:1) and the devastating collapse of the tower at Siloam, which claimed the lives of eighteen innocent people (Luke 13:4). These tragic events had left the crowd stunned and searching for answers. They wondered if these tragedies are a form of divine punishment as a direct result of the victims’ sins (Luke 13:4).
However, Jesus challenges this assumption by saying, “Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were worse sinners than all other Galileans? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as they did” (Luke 13:2-3). By responding in this way, Jesus highlights a profound truth: regardless of our circumstances, we all need repentance.
So, what does repentance really mean? It is a transformation that changes us from the inside out, much like a builder renovating an old, worn-out house, stripping away the decay and rebuilding it into a beautiful home (2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 4:22-24). By repenting and turning back to God, we can experience His forgiveness, healing, and restoration (Luke 15:11-32; Psalm 51:1-12).
Repentance is a profound shift in our mind and heart, where we deliberately turn away from sin and toward God. This transformation is also described by Saint Paul as a renewal of our minds, where we are transformed by the renewal of our minds, so that we may discern what is the will of God (Romans 12:2).
As we reflect on the transformative power of repentance, let’s consider a practical example. Perhaps you struggle with pornography, a grave offense against God’s plan for human love and sexuality (CCC 2354). This sin not only clouds your moral judgment but also erodes the sacred bond of intimacy and exclusivity that exists between husband and wife, as willed by God in the sacrament of marriage.
To repent of this sin, start by acknowledging the harm that pornography can cause, treating people as objects, damaging intimate relationships, and losing sight of the value and dignity of human life. Then consider how it affects your spiritual well-being and the lives of those involved in the industry. Take responsibility for your actions and commit to making a change. You can also seek help from a Catholic therapist or an experienced spiritual director.
As we journey through Lent, let’s ask ourselves: What areas of our lives need radical transformation and reorientation to God? Does your relationship need healing? Are there habits that you need to break? Are there any attitudes that require adjustment?
Jesus uses the parable of the barren fig tree to warn us that we can’t resist or procrastinate repentance indefinitely. There will come a time of reckoning. The orchard owner has a fig tree that has not yielded any fruit for three years. The owner orders it cut down, but the gardener intervenes, asking for one more year to tend to the tree.
As we continue our Lenten journey, may we be courageous enough to confront our sins, recognize our wrongdoing, and commit to changing our behavior. May we seize the opportunity to become fruitful disciples, living in harmony with God’s will.
Let us remember that repentance is not just a feeling or an emotion but a deliberate decision to turn away from sin and towards God. May we take advantage of this Lenten season to make a radical transformation in our lives, and may God give us the strength and courage to do so.
May we also recognize that repentance is not just an individual act but also a communal one. We are all part of a larger community, and our sins and shortcomings have an impact on those around us. Let us strive to build a culture of repentance and forgiveness, where we support and encourage one another on our journey towards holiness. Amen.
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