The short parable in the Gospel this week tells of the fig tree that was given opportunities of every kind to produce fruit, but it failed to do so. Simply put, “The Lord is kind and merciful,” but He expects us not to take His mercy for granted. With the help of His kindness, He expects us to grow in goodness and holiness. We are to produce good works. God didn’t create us just to take up space in this world. He wants more from us than that. He wants us to trust Him, to love Him and to do good for others.
One of the ways God manifests His kindness and mercy to us is in calling us to repentance and renewal during this holy season of Lent. In the book of Revelation, Jesus says: “Whoever is dear to me I will reprove and chastise. Be earnest about it, therefore. Repent! Here I stand, knocking at the door. If anyone hears me calling and opens the door, I will enter his house and have supper with him, and he with me.” This assumes that we all have room for improvement. God asks that of us, and He also gives us the help we need to be better. That is kindness to us. The fact that he challenges us to change comes from his love as a caring parent.
The conversation Jesus had about the tragic events mentioned in the beginning of today’s Gospel is interesting. Sometimes people think that when something bad happens to someone, it’s God’s punishment. Jesus says that’s not always true. We can’t think, “Well, if nothing bad is happening to me, it must be because I am so good.” He tells us we all need to repent, i.e., to work to be better than we are. This season of Lent keeps reminding us of our need to grow in holiness and goodness. We are never good enough to remain complacent. We can all do a better job even when God is comforting us, forgiving us, healing us, encouraging us or correcting us; we still can always do better. God didn’t create us just to take up space in this world. Let us strive in the remaining weeks of Lent to show some improvement – to work to be better than we are.
Fr. Gabriel Wankar
Priest-in-Residence