First Reading: Exodus 3:1-8a.13-15/Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 103:1-2.3-4.6-7.8.11 (R. 8a) Second Reading: I Corinthians 10:1-6.10-12/Gospel Acclamation:Mt.4:17/Gospel: Luke13:1-9
Theme: It’s Time to Repent; So, Capture the Opportunities!
There is time for everything, and Lent, indeed, is a time for a lasting change. Although the journey to freedom is long, frustrating and hard, the season of Lent offers us the right disposition for grace, freedom and deliverance. Today’s readings offer us some ways to embrace the needed change. In the first reading, God calls Moses and assures him that he (God) is very much aware of the pains and problems of his people, Israel. The text reveals the compassionate, loving and merciful heart of God: “I have seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt, and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters; I know their sufferings, and I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land to a good and a broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey” (Ex. 3:7-8a). Therefore, God knows and feels and is interested in the detailed situations of his people; he shows empathy and promises to redeem them.
Beloved in Christ, God knows our own problems too, and he wants to help us out of all of them! Metaphorically, we enter Egypt, the land of slavery, anytime we sin, anytime we fail to use our freedom responsibly. Just as Egypt enslaved Israel, so also does sin put us in bondage. In this condition, we hand over ourselves to the whims and caprices of our enemies. We struggle to come out from that condition, yet, suffer excruciatingly because of servitude. In this state, we miss our freedom, dignity, innocence, blessings and glory. In spite of this, it is only God, the one whom we have hurt with our sins, who still comes to rescue, heal, restore and renew us through his grace.
Of a very important significance is the revelation of the divine name “I am who I am” (Ex. 3:14). Linked to the tetragrammaton, YHWH (Yahweh), this name is derivative from the verb “to be” or “to cause to become.” Hence, God is the one who causes all things to happen, to become; and he is personally and deeply involved in the life and history of humanity. Indeed, there is never a time God is absent, or detached from the events of life. His ever-abiding presence is always with us.
Mindful of the incomparable compassion of God and his assured presence with us, especially revealed in moments of difficulty, the Responsorial Psalm gives us surety of what God can do for and with us. Consequently, the Psalmist puts God’s help in song and beautifully renders it singing: “The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and rich in mercy. For as the heavens are high above the earth, so strong his mercy for those who fear him” (Ps. 103:8, 11).
Be that as it may, human weakness and proclivities always take God’s compassion and grace for granted. Yet, God’s mercy does not mean the liberty or license to remain in sin or give in to temptations. Neither does it warrant an attitude of forgetfulness of God’s deeds and the consequent ingratitude to him! For this reason, the second reading warns us about these dangers; of being over[1]confident in our comfort zones. God expects us to make the necessary effort to turn on a new leaf. In this regard, St. Paul the apostle exhorts us: “Now these things are warnings for us, not to desire evil as they [Israelites in the desert] did, nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer. Now, these things happened to them as a warning, but they were written down for our instruction, upon whom the end of the ages has come. Therefore, let anyone who thinks that he stands, take heed lest he fall (I Cor. 10:12). This is surely apt!
To re-emphasise the aforementioned, Jesus bluntly repeats in the Gospel: “But unless you repent you will all likewise perish” (Lk. 13:3, 5). Those who perished were the Galileans “whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices” and “those eighteen upon whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed” (Lk. 13:1, 4). Jesus tells us that there is a second chance for us to repent, to be fruitful and to receive his blessings, otherwise, we remain in the ‘Egypt’ of sin and slavery and suffer the consequences thereof. The only thing which is constant is change and we must do well, that is, do everything within our power and supported by divine grace, to become holy people.
Today in the world, the authentic Gospel of Christ is relegated to the background and sometimes, even prevented from reaching people. On the other hand, the message is being watered-down or adulterated in order to suit the ungodly appetites of so-called prophets and evangelists. Instead of Jesus-gospel, human-gospel has taken the centre stage. Rather than preaching against sin, we have make-me-feel-good sermons and homilies. In place of authentic worship and reverence in the house of God, we do what we like. No wonder Cardinal Sarah says that the church has become a “den of darkness” and a “cave of thieves” and certain men of God have turned into “agents of the evil one.”
We see on TV and hear on radio the commercialisation of the gospel, the display of wealth and the ‘magic’ of so-called miracle workers purported to be done in the name of God. On the streets, some public preachers have their collection boxes placed at vantage points whereas their pulpits are positioned at some distant corners. In buses and minibuses too, some preach just for money and self-aggrandizement. These are all shadows of a society that has become largely materialistic, relativistic and secular. In this regard, Cardinal Sarah calls relativism “the mask of Judas dressed as an intellectual” and this happens when shepherds are afraid of speaking with truth and clarity.
We need not be afraid to change for the better and to confront ourselves when we go wrong. God has the power to help us if we trust him for his love and mercy. Dearly Beloved, God gives us ample time to amend our ways and be converted. We have the sacraments to help us, but we must certainly guard against becoming sacramentalised and not converted! Through the good and bad things which happen to us, the not-so-good events of life, the frustrations and the failures, the disappointments and ups-and-downs, the fears and irritations, the sickness and difficulties, the pains and sufferings, as well as the vicissitudes of life, God offers us the opportunity for conversion.
We cannot sit on the fence nor be indifferent to the summons of God. Let us see sin as it is, call it by name rather than being politically-correct with words especially when it comes to sin and evil. When we name it, we are able to claim it so as to tame it! Sometimes, we rationalise, argue and defend what is indefensible. We must have the sense of sin and guilt when we go wrong, and the ability to acknowledge the pride which always leads us to commit sin is vital in our relationship with God. It is time to convert. It is time to make a u-turn. It is time to make a come-back to God. It is time to say sorry with all seriousness and from the bottom of our hearts. Change is now!
Let us remember that Moses had to repent and abandon his old ways and his own plans in order to embrace God’s call to lead Israel out of bondage in Egypt. He had to convert in order to convert others! This did not come easily as it involved temptations and difficulties. However, let us note that no matter how long and hard the journey to freedom may be, it is always better to be liberated than be in captivity under one’s enemies, and Lent gives us the opportunity to experience this liberation. If we decide to repent, God’s help will strengthen us for salvation. Happy Sunday and may God bless us! Remember: #It’s-Time-To-Repent-So-Capture-The-Opportunities#
