3^rd Sunday of Lent, Year C

Exodus 3:1-8a, 13-15       1 Corinthians 10:1-6, 10-12      Luke 13:1-9

Theme: Be steadfast!

The three readings in today’s liturgy call to mind our relationship with God. How is your relationship with God? Is your relationship with God bearing fruits or not? Today in the first reading we see Moses’ encounter with God and how that encounter led to his commissioning to save the people of Israel from Egypt. Even though Moses at that time had his own plans, he had to forfeit them to follow the plans of God and at the end he was used as an instrument to bring forth the liberation of the people of Israel. This liberation of God’s people did not come on a platter of gold, like we see from today’s second reading. They had difficulties, they had challenges, and they had temptations. At other times they doubted God and followed their own paths. This is why Paul in the second reading today is advising us that as followers of God, we are bound to go through similar situations. It may come in different ways, but the good news is for those who remain steadfast, not falling by the wayside like the Israelites, they surely will experience the blessings of God. They surely will bear fruits, fruits that will last.

In view of the above therefore, we are encouraged as Disciples of Christ to remain steadfast and resolute in our faith in God, especially in times of trials, tribulations and difficulties. For God is ever faithful to His Word, and He will forever be faithful to His promises to those who endure to the end. Therefore, we must strive to ensure that we have a wonderful relationship with God and not allow trails and temptations to make us go astray. When we do that, we can be sure that everything in the end will work well onto good for us. This is the point Saint Paul is drawing our attention to today. He knows from his experiences that we must face challenges, temptations, tribulations as followers of Christ, but if we hold firm, Jesus himself will go through all these and more with us.

Thus, my brothers and sisters in Christ, we are encouraged to remain steadfast just like Jesus did and be assured of the blessings that come from such faithfulness and steadfastness in God. In the Gospel reading of today, Jesus continues to give us the hope and strength that we need for renewal, for transformation, for conversion. He reminds us that we have a Father, a God that loves us and wills that we remain in His steadfast love. This is the keynote message of the parable of the fig tree. In the parable of the fig tree, we see the depth of God’s love for humanity. We see the God who ceaselessly gives us countless opportunities for repentance, renewal, conversion and transformation. The question my brothers and sisters in Christ is, all these opportunities that God presents before us, how well do we make use of them? If we make proper use of them, it will strengthen our union and our bond with Him. It will strengthen our relationship with Him, and we will bear fruits, fruits that will last.

This brings me to some very pertinent questions on this 3^rd Sunday of lent. What type of fruit are you bearing? Are you bearing good fruits or bad fruits? Are you bearing fruits at all? Some of us bear good fruits, but they are fruits that bring us oppression, difficulties, trials, and tribulations because we are living like children of God. In this season of grace, Jesus is encouraging you and I to bear good fruits that will last and stand the test of time; fruits that will lead us to eternal life. Therefore, our relationship with God must be resolute; our relationship with God must be firm. That way it becomes easier to be able to bear fruits, the type of fruits that God requires from us.

We pray on this 3^rd Sunday of lent that God will help us bear fruits, fruits that will last even in the face of tribulations, trials, and difficulties. Peace be with you!