By Fr. Marcel Uzoigwe, CSSp. | Homily 3rd Sunday of Year Lent C
You may have experienced occasions when misfortune befalls those considered to be evil in the society and instead of being pitied, the dominant response you hear is something like, “that serves them right”, “good that they received what they deserve” or even “thank God for the evil that befell them”. We may have even said that one or more times. That is precisely the attitude displayed by the people who came to Jesus with the news of the slaughter of the Galileans by Pilate in this Sunday’s Gospel reading. We have witnessed a number of disasters and bloody killings in recent times: the Ethiopian flight disaster, the killing of Muslims in New-Zealand, the Mass killing of Christians by Muslims in Northern Nigeria, the horrible natural disaster of the Tropical Cyclone Idai in Mozambique and the Eastern borders of Zimbabwe and Malawi, etc. Could we say that the fate these victims met is a consequence of the sins they committed? No… not in any way. Any such condemnatory attitude embodies some level of self-justification and “better than thou” notion of self as against the victims of these disasters.
Jesus was clear with his rejection of such attitude in his response to the people who brought him the news of the disaster that befell the Galileans: “Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way, they were worse sinners than others? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as they did.” Similarly, about the eighteen who were killed when the tower of Siloam collapsed on them Jesus queries: “Do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others living in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish just as they did.”
The only good that misfortunes serve is the lesson we learn from them to ensure that such never repeats again. In the gospel, Jesus utilized the occasion to teach on the uncertainty of life; the necessity of being vigilant; of not being overly attached to that which we might easily lose at any moment. He noted that it could happen to anybody, and that if they don’t happen to us at this time, it is because of God’s mercy and love not because of what we deserve. It is the grace of God that keeps us alive and enables us to advance in our undertakings; and that grace must not be taken for granted or abused. Thus, the right attitude of living by the grace of God should rather help us to make the best of the opportunity God gives us everyday to make amends and become better human beings. Lent is a grace period to reflect on our lives and seek to understand the aspects of our life that God is calling each of us to pay closer attention to so as to become holy and ready for every good works He wishes to entrust into our hands. So, instead of wasting our limited time standing in judgment over those whom misfortune has befallen, such times should more wisely be invested in responding to the invitation from God to humble repentance and good works before our time on earth runs out.
Saint Paul echoes this warning in the second reading by calling on the Corinthians to learn from the misfortunes of their forefathers who were cherished by God but failed to utilize the opportunity given to them. His warning stems from the story of the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt which we find in the first reading. God took the initiative, having seen the affliction the people suffered in the hands of the oppressors. He chose a man called Moses who himself was forced to run for his dear life when his personal attempt to save his people hit the rock. He had killed an Egyptian oppressing an Israelitan, who later betrayed him by not keeping the secret (Exodus 2: 11-22). He was uncertain what his return to Egypt would have in stock for him. Despite being betrayed by the very person he fought to save, he needed to put behind the past and focus on the new creation that God was making of him and undertake the unsavoury task of going to speak to the Israelites about God’s decision to set them free from the Egyptians. When God revealed his name “I AM WHO I AM”, Moses realized that what his human effort could not achieve is possible with the divine presence and support. He only needed to make himself available and God will do the rest through him. Saint Paul noted that the people failed to maintain faith in the God who liberated them out of slavery in Egypt, and therefore many of them died without reaching the promised land. We, therefore, need to be careful not to misuse the opportunity the grace of God offers us for repentance and reconciliation.
Dear Friends, the urgency for repentance, reconciliation and gratefulness to God for his graces are the themes that run through the entire readings of today. That is to be expected given that Lenten period encouraged reflection in this necessary direction to salvation which is a core value of Christ’s death on the cross. Repentance and reconciliation are intimately intertwined. Repentance is possible because God is offering us reconciliation, and being reconciled with God involves the commitment to a new style of life and building the new creation made available in Christ. The parable of the fig tree that follows Jesus’ rebuff to the idea of misfortune as punishment in the gospel of today brings out the fact that God continually offer us the possibility of repentance. Honest repentance goes beyond mere words or emotional acts of sorrow for offenses committed to include evaluating our lifestyles, actions and attitudes. The call to repent is the call to turn over a new leaf, to begin afresh; reconciliation is the fruit of this turning around and links the personal new beginning with the work of the whole body of Christ to establish the kingdom of peace and love.
Call to mission follows genuine repentance. What God has done for us, we seek to extend to others through various forms of ministry (service) to them. God would not allow Moses to remain with the new life he had found in Midian but sent him back to extend liberation to his own people. Moses returned to Egypt, no longer as the carnal man with natural powers to fight for the liberation of the Israelitans but in the power of God. We need not be afraid to make ourselves available for whatever God calls us to do that will bring His love to those around us. God’s grace is ever sufficient for us. St. Paul, who experienced the power of God in the midst of hardships he endured during his missionary engagements, wrote in Romans 8:37 that in all things we are more than conquerors through Him (Christ) who loves us, and Philippians 4:13 that he can do all things by the power of Christ who is his strength. This is sufficient assurance of what God can do in us when we repent and reconcile with Him and with one another. May His grace lead us to answer His call this Lenten session. Amen.
Reading 1, Exodus 3:1-8, 13-15
Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 103:1-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8, 11
Reading 2, First Corinthians 10:1-6, 10-12
Gospel, Luke 13:1-9