The Tragedy of Unrepentance

The Tragedy of Unrepentance

Lk 13: 1-9

Third Sunday of Lent

Introduction

Today is the third Sunday of Lent. Our reading today prods us to rethink and change our ways so that we may not impede the workings of God’s grace in our life. Our reading also warns us of the dire consequences of not heeding God’s call to repentance.

The Gospel

Our Gospel today begins with a report on two tragedies. One of these was when some Galileans who came to sacrifice at the temple were murdered by Pilate. The incident must have been unforgettable and gruesome as people saw how the blood of the murdered victims mingled with the blood of the animal sacrifices that were offered in the temple. The other tragedy was when a tower in Siloam fell on eighteen people who were there present for their ritual bathing and cleansing.

On both these tragedies, people thought that all who died in them were sinners and that their deaths were somehow the price they had to pay as punishment for their sins. Such was the perception at that time. Tragedies were commonly associated with personal wrongdoing and sin.

Jesus refutes this and tells his listeners: “ Do you think that they suffered this way because they were greater sinners than all the rest? By no means!”

But while Jesus refuted this notion of guilt associated with punishment, he used the incident to highlight something important regarding such tragedies, saying : “ But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did!” Ultimately, Jesus believes that death and punishment will be the lot of all those who do not mend their evil ways.

Then Jesus highlights his point by telling them a parable. Jesus said: “ There once was a person who had a fig tree planted in his orchard, and when he came in search of fruit on it but found none, he said to the gardener,” For three years now I have come in search of fruit on this fig tree but have found none. So cut it down. Why should it exhaust the soil? He said to him in reply, “ Sir, leave it for this year also, and I shall cultivate the ground around it and fertilize it; it may bear fruit in the future. If not you can cut it down. “

Reflection

            During Jesus’ time, people thought that tragedies such as the gruesome and unfortunate deaths narrated in our reading were caused by the sins of people who met such tragic deaths. While death caused by natural circumstances such as old age and sickness were seen as the normal processes of life, death caused by tragic and violent circumstances were looked upon as punishment for sinful people. Jesus refutes this and tells those listening to him that they were no less sinful than the people who met such tragic deaths.

Jesus , however, uses these tragic deaths as a springboard for his teaching about repentance. Jesus tells those listening to him that they would meet the same tragic end if they don’t repent and change their ways. This reading, therefore, comes as a warning to those who do not want to change and mend their ways, as death and punishment becomes their lot and destiny if they continue to disregard God’s call to repentance.

Jesus’ parable highlights this. God is determined to put an end to those who do not change their ways despite the care that is lavished upon them. Like the fruit trees in the parable, all of us are given God’s loving care and kindness. This loving kindness is given to all without exception.

But such generosity also has its expectations. God’s grace is meant to allow our lives to bloom and bear fruit. When, however, our lives fail to bloom and bear fruit, it is because we have resisted grace and have not allowed such grace to transform our lives. God’s grace is free and is without limits. But this grace, though abundant and free, is no match to a man’s hardened and impenetrable heart. No amount of grace becomes helpful when a man willfully rejects God. A hardened heart closes all possibilities for grace.

The frustrations of the man who owns the orchard and his caretaker in the parable become clear when the tree, despite so much care, yields no fruit. The unresponsive tree then is declared of no use and is condemned to destruction. Such is the fate of any man who has closed his door to God’s loving mercy and kindness.  Such a man becomes vulnerable and is headed towards  death and destruction, by divine declaration. Unrepentance then becomes a predictable tragedy where death and destruction await anyone who doesn’t heed God’s call for repentance.   

Lent is a special privileged moment given by God when we can take some time to look at our life. This is the time when we can ask ourselves whether we have allowed God’s grace to transform our lives. It is also a time when we get to examine our life and ask ourselves if we have in any way, closed our hearts to God’s mercy and grace by refusing to change and mend our ways.

But Lent is also a time of grace.  It is a time for us to realize how much we have received and how much love has been given to us. It is this love that allows us to bear fruit; a love that keeps us from heading to a path of tragic destruction and death, just like those Galileans at the temple and those at Siloam.

Prayer

Dear Lord, you don’t want us to head towards the path of death and destruction. But your parable tells us today that even if this is not your wish for us, our unrepentance and hardness of heart will not prevent us from heading towards destruction.

Give us the grace to remain in your love so that we may bear fruit. Give us too the grace of remaining humble so that we may readily return to you when we have gone astray. Amen. 

“Yet even now, declares the LORD, return to Me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning. So rend your hearts and not your garments, and return to the LORD your God. For He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, and abounding in loving devotion. “ – Joel 2: 12 – 13

For reflections like this, go to my blog: thevineyardlaborer.blogspot.com