Beloved in Christ,
The message from this Sunday's Gospel passage is straightforward but prickly: Repent or perish. Jesus responds to those who reported to him the tragic end of some Galileans in the hands of Pilate and those who perished when the tower of Siloam fell on them, saying that they were not worse sinners than those who are alive and telling of their sad death. Jesus used the moment to teach about the urgency of producing fruits of repentance by telling them a parable of the barren fig tree. The key word in Jesus' parable and response to their report is repentance. "No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish just as they did" (Luke 13:5).
We have already made some strides with Jesus in this Lenten season. We have walked with him through the desert as he faced and overcame temptation. We were present with Peter, James and John on the mountain of transfiguration. Now, Jesus draws our attention to a significant attribute of the holy season of Lent: our response to His call to repentance. The Greek word translated into English as repentance is the noun "metanoia." It is a word that means a change of mind or heart. The prefix "meta" means beyond, while "noeo (nous)" means mind, thoughts, understanding or perception. The verb form is metanoeo means to go beyond the mind you now have.
Suppose our current thoughts, perceptions, or beliefs about Jesus and his will are wrong or incorrect; it is time we change them. In that case, we must strive to reorder them, as Saint Paul calls us to be transformed by the renewal of our minds (Romans 12:2). This act of change and renewal involves recognizing our wrongdoing, turning away from sin to God, and aligning ourselves with God's will.
This is where the message of the barren fig tree comes in helpful. God will be patient, but we must act quickly and not play around. God has done far too much to save and restore us than to deny our need for repentance or delay making it in the sacrament of reconciliation. Even after our baptism, confirmation, and reception of the Holy Eucharist, we humans remain prone to the sins of rebellion and pride; therefore, we need to undergo metanoia, a change of heart and mind. The Lenten season is ideal for this as we prepare for the joy of Easter. Let us then allow the Holy Spirit to remind and convict us of our sins so we may do what is proper: repent and confess. Why do we dilly-dally? What is holding us back from sincere repentance and confession of our sins? The Lord is kind and merciful. Let's take advantage of God's mercy during this Lent.
Just to let you know, this Sunday is the first of three scrutinies for our Elect, Lorelai Suekay. Please keep her in your prayers. You can take advantage of all the spiritual activities scheduled for Lent and make efforts to move forward in your spiritual life. Lent is moving quickly; next Sunday is Laetare Sunday, marking our halfway point in the forty days of Lent. Commit to praying more, giving more to the church and the poor, and intensifying your penance.
In Christ,
Fr. Alayode Bernard, O.P.
The message from this Sunday's Gospel passage is straightforward but prickly: Repent or perish. Jesus responds to those who reported to him the tragic end of some Galileans in the hands of Pilate and those who perished when the tower of Siloam fell on them, saying that they were not worse sinners than those who are alive and telling of their sad death. Jesus used the moment to teach about the urgency of producing fruits of repentance by telling them a parable of the barren fig tree. The key word in Jesus' parable and response to their report is repentance. "No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish just as they did" (Luke 13:5).
We have already made some strides with Jesus in this Lenten season. We have walked with him through the desert as he faced and overcame temptation. We were present with Peter, James and John on the mountain of transfiguration. Now, Jesus draws our attention to a significant attribute of the holy season of Lent: our response to His call to repentance. The Greek word translated into English as repentance is the noun "metanoia." It is a word that means a change of mind or heart. The prefix "meta" means beyond, while "noeo (nous)" means mind, thoughts, understanding or perception. The verb form is metanoeo means to go beyond the mind you now have.
Suppose our current thoughts, perceptions, or beliefs about Jesus and his will are wrong or incorrect; it is time we change them. In that case, we must strive to reorder them, as Saint Paul calls us to be transformed by the renewal of our minds (Romans 12:2). This act of change and renewal involves recognizing our wrongdoing, turning away from sin to God, and aligning ourselves with God's will.
This is where the message of the barren fig tree comes in helpful. God will be patient, but we must act quickly and not play around. God has done far too much to save and restore us than to deny our need for repentance or delay making it in the sacrament of reconciliation. Even after our baptism, confirmation, and reception of the Holy Eucharist, we humans remain prone to the sins of rebellion and pride; therefore, we need to undergo metanoia, a change of heart and mind. The Lenten season is ideal for this as we prepare for the joy of Easter. Let us then allow the Holy Spirit to remind and convict us of our sins so we may do what is proper: repent and confess. Why do we dilly-dally? What is holding us back from sincere repentance and confession of our sins? The Lord is kind and merciful. Let's take advantage of God's mercy during this Lent.
Just to let you know, this Sunday is the first of three scrutinies for our Elect, Lorelai Suekay. Please keep her in your prayers. You can take advantage of all the spiritual activities scheduled for Lent and make efforts to move forward in your spiritual life. Lent is moving quickly; next Sunday is Laetare Sunday, marking our halfway point in the forty days of Lent. Commit to praying more, giving more to the church and the poor, and intensifying your penance.
In Christ,
Fr. Alayode Bernard, O.P.
RSS Feed