GOD OFFERS US A SECOND CHANCE (Ex 3:1-8a, 13-15; I Cor 10:1-6, 10-12; Lk 13:1-9)
By REV. FR. PAUL ANIGBORO
How do you feel when someone who's been hurtful, cruel, or morally corrupt gets hit with a hardship that makes them suffer? Our natural tendency is to rejoice because justice has finally been meted out. Recently, a man in New Zealand walked into a mosque and killed many Muslims. The world has been reacting to this issue and for many those Muslims got served. They deserved it considering the number of lives they too have taken.
Jesus addresses this in this Sunday's Gospel reading. He wants us to understand that we cannot truthfully say that someone is a "greater sinner", even if that person is doing more damage than anyone else, is more unChristian than we are, or is blatantly an evil-doer. It will be so wrong to think that anyone deserves evil just because of the kind of life he or she is living. Our God is not a wicked God for he allows the rain to fall on both the good and bad (Matt. 5:45).
There are, at least, two meaningful insights about God that come out from the gospel of this Sunday: Firstly, our suffering is not a result of our sins, though suffering could be pedagogical, that is, it teaches us something about human nature. Secondly, despite our own failures and indifference, God always offers us a second chance.
No person is an evil person. Evil-doers are children of God living in ignorance of their true identity. They are victims of evil and were seduced by it into believing that it's the best way to live. They don't understand that they can be healed by the Sinless One who conquered evil for their redemption. We should feel sorry for them -- this is the gift of mercy. We should mourn with Jesus for the tragedy that continues within their souls -- this is the most precious gift of mercy.
Our work as Christians is to become vine dresser ready to prune a fig tree inorder to produce good fruits. We are called to be living examples to people walking in evil ways and preaching to them not only by words but also our lifestyles, that they can repent. Just as Moses was sent to the people of Israel, we too are being sent to the lost ones, so as to bring them back into the fold.
Furthermore, today's readings invite us to repent from our sinful life. We must not think that some persons deserve evil more than us because all sins are sins. We can not claim to be more righteous than other people and tend to judge others for their failings. Lent is a time to reconcile. This explains the story of the fig tree being given another opportunity to bear fruit. God keeps giving us same opportunities, we must make use of it be repenting and asking for forgiveness during this season of Lent.
Lord, grant me the grace to repent of my sins and to serve you more in others. Amen.
Good morning and do have a beautiful Sunday. God loves you.
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