A Message from Fr. Jay
Dear Friends,
“The Lord is kind and merciful.”
The interpreters of the Law during Jesus’ time, (quoted as ‘some people’ in the gospel) said about the tragedy of the collapse of Siloam tower and killing 18 people, and the mutiny of Galileans in the Temple by Pilate had to happen because the people were sinners. To such ‘some people’ Jesus said, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did.
Jesus being the Son of God reveals the nature of God. ‘The Lord is kind and merciful’. Our God would never blame the victims or get frustrated with a victim but instead, gives them a chance, like the gardener in the Gospel today, who likes to give one more chance to bear fruit.
It is very interesting to reflect that:
Sometimes we are like the fig tree:
God gave us the gift of life with an expectation that we would bear fruit. Do I bear fruit that others may share the benefits? Is there any selfishness in me that I keep myself green and look strong but not ready to blossom?
Sometimes we are like the owner:
Do I blame others with selfishness, especially the victims with my judgmental attitudes? Do I complain about everything without considering charity and generosity?
Sometimes we are like the gardener:
Do I consider the needs of others? Do I see life positively in everything? Do I consider another chance to the people who hurt us?
It is to be noted in the first reading that God reveals His presence in a burning bush to Moses. Yes, we could see God better in a crisis but what we need is conversion. Let us work towards the real conversion that would ensure the grace of God during this Lenten season.
God Bless,
Fr. Jay Raju
Reading 1: Exodus 3:1-8a, 13-15
Reading 2: 1 Corinthians 10:1-6, 10-12
Gospel: Luke 13:1-9
