February 28, 2016

3rd Sunday of Lent C Exodus 3: 1-8, 13-15; 1 Corinthians 10: 1-6, 10-12; Luke 13: 1-9 So often I can pick up the Scriptures and just quickly breeze through them without asking myself any question. Obviously what happened during my first reading was that nothing unusual happened or it just doesn’t apply to me or ‘it’s just something from scripture, nothing too important.’ But then when I stop and reflect on the passage, examine the deeper meaning, I discover God does have a powerful message for me. So I look at today’s reading first from Exodus where Moses for the first time encountered God Remember his story: His parents were Hebrew slaves in Egypt building the roads, pyramids, etc. The Pharaoh wanted to reduce their number so he ordered the male babies born be put into the river to drown. Nice people. Is this any different than the attempt of Herod to rid himself of any Messiah rivals to his throne after the Magi came and asked where the newborn King would be born. ‘Well, I’m the King, I want this stopped, no messiah is going to take my power away from me.’ So the killing rampage began supposedly killing only a male child two and under. I don’t think Herod’s mercenary’s cared if the killed was a male or female. Back to Moses, he was put into a basket and ‘rescued’ by the Pharaoh’s daughter, then returned to the mother and later on back to the Pharaoh’s court. How much religious training did Moses get? How deep was his faith? In today’s scene he is a wanted criminal outlaw who faced the death penalty if he ever returned to Egypt. God appears and ‘introduces’ Himself to Moses. We get our first glimpse of Moses’ courage, his confusion, his willingness to trust in his God that he really doesn’t know that well or deeply. Now he is sent on this mission with the promise that God will protect him and care for him. Moses asked God His name, and gives His name which is so very hard to understand, if it is to be understood. THE main point is that God is there for the people and will lead them to safety and freedom. For us: God is always there; He is always with us; He cares that deeply about each of us. What has to happen to us for us to believe this? Do we need a burning bush or can we just look back into our lives and see how God has filled us with His love and surrounded us with people who love us. Look how God has brought us through so many catastrophes? We come to the Gospel and see a totally different Jesus. He is not performing any miracles nor is He preaching. He does make a comment on some recent events and then gives a parable that seems Ok but what is the message for me? We look at the Gospel which brings out the question we have all heard so often, ‘If God is a good God why does He allow suffering?’ Tragic accidents and mass murders in which innocent people are killed always raise questions about how God’s justice works and why these things happen. It so very easy to see in tragedies evidence of human sinfulness. Why do people hate? Why do people want to kill? Why do people feel they can have anything they want by any means? Why is their radical religious groups killing others and themselves for God? Why are evil people trying to take over the world? Why do the innocent suffer? Luke tells us that Pilate had gone after some Galileans killed them and mingled their blood in the temple sacrifices. Maybe we thought Pilate was a nice guy and was trying to free Jesus? And what about all the human sinfulness when there are no tragic events to point to…in our families, at work, school, neighborhoods among friends? The point is that Sin is a reality The point is that I am a sinner. The point is that every person sins and what does Jesus say about this? Jesus tells of a tower that collapsed and eighteen people were killed. The people at that time believed that this was because of a sin that each had committed. Jesus said a line that perhaps we overlooked or got buried in the gospel, “But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did!” The point that Jesus is making is that all humans are in need of repentance. God’s judgment ultimately will include all people. No one will be exempt. The parable doesn’t indicate that we have to be concerned with how God judges each person. What Jesus is telling us is that it’s not the case of how God lowers the bang on us… how the threat of God’s retribution comes. Divine retribution is never God’s final word. I remember a priest giving a retreat when I was in grammar school saying, “You are ALL going to hell” and when he finished this statement he was pointing at me. I thought well just don’t tell my mom. BUT Jesus is telling each of us today that there is always the hope of His mercy and His forgiveness. God is always consistent in His generosity with His mercy and forgiveness. This leads to many questions: Do I think that God can really forgive me? Are these sins of mine so horrid and I can’t even forgive me, how can God forgive me? Do I think that since I’m really basically good that I just can’t remember hurting anyone one so I guess I’m just not a sinner, is that right? So can God forgive: that’s what God does. Does He do it all the time…well do I ask for it? When I ask am I sorry? Am I as good as I think? How have I loved God today…the people in my life today…and how about myself? Was my love selfish or unselfish? Was it giving or using or manipulating? God loves all with His total love…all the time! Connections, The newsletter of ideas, resources and information for homilists and preachers gives a wonderful reflection. “Jesus’ parable of the fig tree reminds us of many ‘ta-dah’ moments in our lives: times when we lose our way, when we are hurting—or have hurt others; spaces in which we find ourselves alone and abandoned; chasms of despair and doubt and despair we fall into. But it is in such ‘ta-dah’ moments that we experience the grace of God in the understanding and support of compassionate family and friends, in the wisdom and guidance of selfless parents and teachers, in the strength and determination we discover within ourselves to carry on. Today’s curable of the fig tree has been called the ‘Gospel of the second chance.’ The life of God is always about starting over again, about re-creation, about growth and discovery about the grace to make things right We always live in the limitless hope and unconditional mercy of God who keeps giving us ‘ta-dah’ moments to rise from the ashes of sin and failings to rebuild and reform our lives.” So I reflect on: • Do I consider Lent a time to seriously prepare for the reception of the Sacrament of Reconciliation? • Do I reflect during Lent on the times I have experienced God’s kindness and mercy in my life? Do I ever share how God has touched me? • Who has looked to me for help in discerning God’s call? How have I affirmed that person’s hunger and struggle? • When has God given me a second chance? Sacred Space 2016 says: “Jesus often speaks of the need to repent. This means turning away from anything that is not of God. I ask to be brought more and more into the world of goodness and love, of light and truth. I want to be a genuine disciple.