The third Sunday of Lent puts before us the idea of repentance and conversion. During Ash Wednesday, we were reminded of our mortality when the mark of the ashen cross was traced on our foreheads: "Remember, O man, from dust thou art to dust thou shall return." We know however that our baptism has empowered us to become immortal, to live the divine life here and now. We have been called from death to life. Our Lenten journey -- a journey of conversion and repentance -- is a journey away from death towards life in Christ through union with Him.
Read the relevant article here and use the following as your guide for reflection.
1. Tragedies can become an occassion for one to become aware of the problem of evil. For the people who came to Jesus, the problem of evil was connected to divine punishment. Jesus' response emphasizes rather the need to repent.
Tragic events are not necessarily punishments from God. They rather make us aware acutely that human existence is transitory and that it can be brought to an end -- tragically or not -- by forces that one cannot control. No one expected that Pilate would act violently during a religious ceremony. Because one's human existence can end at any given moment, Jesus warns his audience: "Unless you repent you will likewise perish."
Reflect:
During Ash Wednesday, we were told during the imposition of ashes: "Remember O man, from dust thou art, to dust thou shall return". At the beginning of Lent, we were made aware of our mortality. The mark of the ashen cross on our forehead is a reminder of the journey of conversion we are to make throughout our lives. How has the season of Lent helped you to make this journey?2. "Repent or perish." Jesus only echoes what Moses told the Israelites in the desert:
16 And I command you today: Love God, your God. Walk in his ways. Keep his commandments, regulations, and rules so that you will live, really live, live exuberantly, blessed by God, your God, in the land you are about to enter and possess.
17 But I warn you: If you have a change of heart, refuse to listen obediently, and willfully go off to serve and worship other gods, 18 you will most certainly die. You won't last long in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess.
19 I call Heaven and Earth to witness against you today: I place before you Life and Death, Blessing and Curse. Choose life so that you and your children will live.
Reflect: In our journey towards Easter, we focus on our call to live fully in Christ. What concrete steps are you making this year to make your Lenten journey fruitful? How are you taking advantage of the sacraments -- of Penance and the Eucharist -- to this end?
In the parable that Jesus tells his audience, the figure of the caretaker of the vineyard stands out. He is like Abraham and Moses interceding to the owner in behalf of the fruitless tree. But unlike Abraham and Moses, the caretaker pledges his own time and effort in making the tree fruitful. The caretaker can be taken as symbolizing Christ interceding before the Throne of Mercy. We are dealing here of the Total Christ, the Head and Body. Christ in His Church pledges extra work in making the barren bear fruit.
Reflect: The work of evangelization becomes more demanding this season of the liturgical year as we help prepare our brothers and sisters to renew their baptismal consecration to the Holy Trinity. How are you contributing to the work of evangelization this season of Lent?
