SUNDAY HOMILY OF 3RD WEEK IN LENT — YEAR C
SUNDAY HOMILY OF 3RD WEEK IN LENT — YEAR C
HOMILY THEME: THE URGENCY OF REPENTANCE AND GOD’S PATIENCE
BY: Fr. Jb Mbbah-Offor
Exodus 3:1-8.13-15, 1 Corinthians 10:1-6.10-12, Luke 13:1-9
The Gospel of Luke presents two stories that call us to repentance, followed by a parable that illustrates God’s patience and love. Both stories emphasize the necessity of repentance. The account of the Galileans warns of impending judgment: “Unless you repent, you will all perish” (Luke 13:3,5). The parable of the fig tree, on the other hand, offers hope—showing that the Lord, in His mercy, may defer judgment for a time.
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Fig trees, along with palm and olive trees, were regarded as valuable in biblical times. According to William Barclay, fig trees were considered the most fruitful of all trees, producing three crops each year. The first figs ripened at the end of June, the second—dried and exported—ripened in August, and the third, which were of lesser value, ripened in September.
However, in today’s Gospel passage, the particular fig tree in question had failed to produce fruit for three consecutive years, despite being planted in a choice location.
A fruitless tree has three major drawbacks:
1. It produces no harvest.
2. It occupies valuable space that could be used for productive trees.
3. It depletes the soil without offering any benefit.
As a result, it becomes the owner’s duty to remove such barren trees. Likewise, people are expected to bear spiritual fruit in their lives.
The Call to Repentance
We should not view others’ suffering as a sign of their greater sinfulness. Instead of blaming victims, we should take the opportunity to reflect on our own lives and spiritual growth.
Repentance is urgent – We do not know when our lives will end, so we must turn to God now.
God is patient, but His judgment is certain – He gives us opportunities to change, but if we remain unrepentant, judgment will come.
Spiritual fruitfulness matters – A true believer should show signs of repentance and transformation in their life.
The parable of the barren fig tree primarily referred to Israel as a nation and its people. Israel was God’s chosen race, planted in the Promised Land, a land flowing with milk and honey. They were protected from their enemies in miraculous ways. In return, God expected faithfulness and obedience. However, they failed to bear fruit through repentance and obedience to God’s will.
The Lenten Call to Repentance
Lent is a time for prayer, good works, and penance. It is a period when the Divine Gardener clears our lives of sin and vice—those things that prevent us from bearing spiritual fruit.
According to Vima Dasan, what ultimately destroys us is not ruthless killing, such as Pilate’s massacre of Galileans preparing for worship, nor tragic accidents, such as the collapse of the Tower of Siloam. Rather, it is our unwillingness to repent.
We need grace, and grace does not come from material possessions or technology but from God alone. We must turn to Him in prayer, especially during this sacred season of grace. Just as God heard the cries of Israel and delivered them, He will also hear us when we call upon Him in true repentance.
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