Third Sunday of Lent Gospel Reflections C

Some people told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with the blood of their sacrifices. Jesus said to them in reply, “Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were greater sinners than all other Galileans? By no means! But I tell you, if you do not repent,you will all perish as they did! Or those eighteen people who were killed when the tower at Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than everyone else who lived in Jerusalem? By no means! But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did!” 
· Luke’s Gospel is the only account of these two events. Innocent people die daily as a result of human violence and natural events. Do these events say anything to us about the need to always be in right relationship with God? We know not the day or the hour or the event.
· During this season of Lent, have we responded to the grace of repentance given to us by God?
· What are the areas of sin we need to be repentant of and be reconciled back to God for?
· Have we taken advantage of the Sacrament of Reconciliation?

And he told them this parable: “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.’” 
· Is our life spiritually barren like the fig tree after all these many years of God’s grace?
· Can we presume on God’s patience with us?  Do I have any guarantee how much time is still allotted to me in life? Why do I delay in responding to God’s invitation of love?
· How can this Lent be a new beginning of spiritual fruitfulness in our life?