3rd Sunday of Lent (C)

Ex. 3:1-8a, 13-15; 1 Cor. 10:1-6, 10-12; Lk. 13:1-9

There’s a story told of a small village by a river. One day, the villagers saw a child struggling in the river, swept by the current. They rushed and saved the child. Then another came. And another. Day after day, the village became busy rescuing people from the river. They built hospitals, rescue centers, and training programs for swimmers. One day, a wise elder asked, “Why don’t we go upstream and find out who is throwing them in?” They had been so occupied reacting to the tragedy that they never asked why it kept happening.

This is what Jesus is addressing in the Gospel today. When He hears people talking about the Galileans slaughtered by Pilate and the victims of the tower of Siloam, He uses these events not to feed sensationalism, but to ask the deeper question: What do these tragedies mean for us? His answer is clear: “Unless you repent,

you will all perish just as they did.”

There’s a story from India of a wise teacher who used to walk with his students through a forest. One day, he stopped and pointed at a young sapling growing near a rock. “Try to pull it out,” he said. The students easily did so. He then pointed to a slightly older plant, and it took a little more effort. Then he pointed to a larger tree—and no one could move it. The teacher said, “So it is with sin and apathy. If you uproot it early with repentance, it is easy. But the longer you wait, the harder it becomes.”

This lesson of urgency and inner change is exactly what Jesus is teaching in today’s Gospel (Luke 13:1–9. Jesus is reminding that these  events are wake-up calls. In other words, every disaster, every tragedy, every close brush with death is a warning bell from God—not to condemn us, but to remind us that life is fragile and repentance is urgent.

In the Old Testament, we see similar patterns. The great flood in Noah’s time (Genesis 6–9) was not just a punishment but a reset—a warning about humanity’s wickedness. The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah was preceded by clear signs and visits by angels (Genesis 18–19). Prophets like Amos and Jeremiah spoke of famines, invasions, and disasters as ways God was calling His people back to righteousness. But time and again, many ignored the warnings.

Then Jesus tells a parable of the fig tree. A tree planted in good soil, nurtured, yet bearing no fruit. The owner is ready to cut it down. But the gardener pleads: “Give it one more year.” This is the mercy of God—He is patient, but not forever. The tree was planted with a purpose—to bear fruit. So are we. We were not created merely to exist, but to live justly, love generously, and walk humbly with our God (Micah 6:8).

In our times, God still speaks—through events, through nature, and through people. The COVID19  pandemic was one such massive wake-up call. It exposed not only the fragility of human life but also the spiritual and moral emptiness that often hides behind our busy schedules. Many turned back to prayer, spent time with family, helped neighbours. Yet, how easily we slip back into our old patterns of indifference, selfishness, and spiritual slumber.

Today, we see natural disasters increasing—earthquakes, floods, wildfires, droughts. While some are natural consequences, many are worsened by human actions—deforestation, pollution, and greed. As Pope Francis wrote in Laudato Si’, “The earth herself, burdened and laid waste, is among the most abandoned and maltreated of our poor.” Are we listening to these cries? These are not merely environmental concerns—they are moral concerns, calling us to change our lifestyles, our choices, and our hearts.

We also see moral decay in our societies—growing injustice, violence, corruption, and apathy toward the suffering. 

A teacher once shared the story of a student who had great talent but kept wasting time, always saying, “I’ll do better tomorrow.” Years passed, and opportunities were lost. One day, the boy came back to school, now older, and told his teacher, “I thought I had time. But time didn’t wait for 

Each of us is a fig tree planted by God. We have been given soil, water, sunlight, and care—the Word of God, sacraments, community, and time. But we are not planted just to survive—we are planted to bear fruit. What is this fruit? As the prophet Micah says: “To do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8). Paul names the fruit of the Spirit: “Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23).

Every tragedy, every moment of grace, every Word of God is a tap on the shoulder. Let us heed these warnings. Repent, and bear fruit—fruit that will last - fruit of justice, mercy, forgiveness, and love.

Satish