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Last week we heard Luke’s
narrative of the Transfiguration. It was a glimpse of Jesus’
post-resurrection glory in preparation for his upcoming passion and
death. Now the Lenten scriptures challenge us to take up our own crosses
and follow the Lord. The gospel begins with a tale of murder. Pilate had
executed some Galileans in the Temple. It was a great scandal.
What must those people have done, that God would let them come to such a
terrible end? Jesus takes the opportunity to point out that these
people were no greater sinners than all the other Galileans. And the
eighteen people killed in the collapse of a tower were not guiltier than
the others who lived in Jerusalem. But such terrible consequences await
all of us who do not repent while we have the chance.
In the parable of the fig tree, Jesus points out the inevitability of
judgment. We must bear fruit or else we will be cut down. There will be
no excuses. We will have been given every opportunity; cultivated and
fertilized, then we must bear fruit. Of all the people in the
world, we have been prepared to be fruitful. The gospel has been
preached to us from our youth. We have been raised in Christian
families. We live in one of the richest countries in the history of the
world. With all these blessings, individually and as a
nation, what fruit have we brought forth for the Lord?
Will this be the last year we
are cultivated and fertilized? Will we end up like those Galileans, who
died at prayer? Will a tower fall on us? Will it be a heart attack? A
bus? Paul reminds us not to think we are secure lest we should fall.
Let us use these last few weeks of Lent well. |
