At the center of our Lenten journey, this Sunday’s Gospel invites us to reflect on how we perceive suffering and God’s role in it. The evangelist Luke presents Jesus’ perspective on the tragic deaths of some Galileans and others crushed to death by the fall of a tower. People wonder if these tragedies were punishments from God, a question many have asked throughout the centuries. In the face of suffering, we too might be asking ourselves: Is God punishing us? Why does God allow so much pain?
Jesus firmly rejects the idea of a vengeful God. Evil and suffering do not come from God because God is a merciful Father who always seeks our good. The psalmist in the liturgy of this Third Sunday of Lent reminds us: “He does not deal with us according to our sins.” The true enemy is sin: selfishness and wrong choices that damage our relationships and world around us. This is why Lent calls us to turn away from sin and embrace the logic of the Gospel, where love and brotherhood triumph over evil.
However, you and I know that conversion is not easy. We may become discouraged by our repeated failures. To encourage us, Jesus offers the parable of the barren fig tree. Although the tree bears no fruit, the owner does not cut it down but gives it more time to blossom. This parable reveals God’s infinite patience. He is the God of second chances, always offering us another opportunity to return to Him.
God believes in us, walks beside us, and nurtures our growth in conversion with mercy and tenderness. His gaze is not fixed on our past mistakes but on the fruit we can still bear. In this beautiful season of Lent, let us embrace God’s patience, seek His forgiveness, and trust in His plan of love.
The Virgin Mary is a model of hope for us and accompanies us this Lent. Let us ask God to fill us with hope and courage, following the example of His Mother, the Virgin Mary, especially in our struggles for true conversion.
Have a beautiful and blessed Lent!
Fr. Lalo Jara, OFM
Note: Due to the OCIA scrutinies, these readings will not be read at the 8:00 and 10:0 a.m. Masses. Here is a link to these readings.
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