3RD SUNDAY OF LENT, YEAR C: REFLECTION BY FR. JULIAN EKEH
THEME: GRACE HAS KEPT YOU; REPENT AND DON’T FALL TO THE DISGRACE OF SIN
(Luke 13:1–9)
Today’s message is a very direct one. Jesus warns. He won’t want to be distracted by any other information than the information about our spiritual formation. He sees us and knows what we need most: Repentance. He insists that there’s no two ways. Either you repent or you perish. Wow, terrifying! Yes, indeed but the love of God restores to us the joy of salvation. Either you are in the state of grace or in the disgrace of sin.
It is already the third week of Lent. Where are you in the journey of return? Do you still wait till you embark on the journey of no return? Are you still a slave to sin? What towers have you allowed to fall upon you? Do you still know you have a tower of refuge and strength in the God who forgives? Let us navigate through the help of today’s passage to grab our guide to remain standing in grace.
LEARN FROM THE EXPERIENCE OF OTHERS
The preceding episode that launched us into today’s passage was where Jesus taught about interpreting the signs of the time. It harps on the need to allow our environment and things around us to steer in us the desire to cling onto the divine.
Some people came with the misfortune of those whose blood was mingled with that of Pilate’s sacrifice. Whether this was for the purpose of information or temptation on Christ is not of great importance now. But Jesus observes a greater misfortune; mingling one’s blood with sin (obara ojoo adighi mma, nna wepunu ya na ndum oo, tinyerem obara di mma, kam wee di ndu). Can we today learn from that and endeavour never to fall into sin? Let us learn from the fall of others never to fall. Let not the failings of our ever-falling society make us failures before God. Let the joy of living in Christ strengthen you always.
DIFFERENTIATE EMPTY SUFFERING FROM SALVIFIC SUFFERING
In repentance, we take up suffering of the flesh to subdue it. Living in sin, the sinner chooses to perish and suffer under divine condemnation. Let all that we suffer here lead us to salvation and not condemnation.
Those who brought the report to Jesus saw mere and empty suffering without seeing the lesson in it. Jesus sees all we pass through, and when we go through them with sincerity, He gives us hope of salvation. Never think it is by your power or might that you can stand. No. But by the Spirit who strengthens us. You’re not better than those who suffer.
TODAY MAY BE YOUR ‘NEXT YEAR’ BEWARE!
In the parable of Jesus in this Gospel, our Lord is that vinedresser who begged for another year, another chance or chances as the case may be.
Some people did the Lenten season of last year, maybe without recognising that it was going to be their last, and today, they are no more. Think of what would become of them now if they never made use of the less than one year they had. What sins have you repented of? May God save you from delay of any kind.
STAND TALL IN GRACE, DON’T FALL IN SINFUL DISGRACE
We are called to remain in the state of grace and never abuse the grace of our state. As children of God, we are encouraged to be fruitful. We are called upon to ensure that God finds us standing in virtue and not falling apart because of sin. Those who are standing are encouraged not to give up nor to think that it is enough to live but ensure to live in Christ, to live in Christ, therefore, is to bear lasting fruits.
What fruits have you produced so far in your Lenten journey? What fruits do you intend to produce after the Lenten season? Will you make good use of this year’s opportunity? Will you be cut down? Chukwu ekwela!
You shall not perish in sin.
You will be fruitful by God’s grace.
The loving saviour will not allow you to go down.
The Lord will see your trials and come to deliver you from the stranglehold of sin and spiritual fruitlessness.
LET US PRAY
Merciful Saviour, thank You for the countless opportunities You give us to come out from our sinful ways. Thank You for this Holy Season of Lent. As we reflect on Your suffering and death which led to Your glorious resurrection grant that we may cooperate with Your grace and be strengthened by it so as not to perish but rise and remain under Your grace through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Happy Sunday to You (3rd Sunday of Lent, Yr. C)
Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh