3/23/2025 - 3rd Sunday of Lent

Repentance and Renewal: A time to Bear Fruit

In this Sunday’s Gospel (Luke 13:1-9), Jesus shares a powerful message about the need for repentance and living fruitful lives. He recalls two tragic events: the killing of some Galileans by Pilate and the collapse of a tower in Siloam that killed eighteen people. Many in the crowd wonder if these events were punishments for sin, but Jesus challenges that notion. Instead, He emphasizes that these events should prompt each of us to reflect on our own lives. He warns, “Unless you repent, you will all perish as they did.” This is a call for each of us to examine how we truly live.

Jesus uses the parable of the barren fig tree to illustrate that while God is patient and merciful, there is a limit to how long we can remain unfruitful. The owner of the vineyard wants to cut down the tree because it hasn’t produced any fruit. However, the gardener pleads for more time to care for it. This story reminds us that God desires us to flourish in our faith, but we also have a role to play.

In our modern world, it's easy to become comfortable in our faith and reshape it to fit our desires. We may want Jesus to be Someone who simply agrees with our choices without challenging us. Yet, the Jesus we discover in Scripture calls us to grow and change. He invites us to step out of our comfort zones and embrace the challenges of living a life rooted in faith.

Pope Francis beautifully articulates this call when he says, “Jesus makes demands: He tells those who seek Him to leave behind the armchair of worldly comforts and the reassuring warmth of home.” Following Jesus often means moving beyond what feels safe and familiar. Just like the fig tree, we have the opportunity to grow and produce good fruit, but we must take action.

St. Augustine reminds us, “God created us without us, but He will not save us without us.” This means that while God offers us grace, we must actively choose to accept it and work on our spiritual growth. We can’t simply sit back and wait for change to occur; we need to participate in our own transformation.

In the second reading, St. Paul reminds us of the importance of learning from the past. He speaks about the Israelites who experienced God’s miracles yet still turned away from Him. Paul warns, “therefore, whoever thinks he is standing secure should take care not to fall.” This is a reminder that we must not become complacent in our faith, thinking that we are secure without being vigilant in our spiritual lives.

As we continue through this Lenten season, let’s consider how we can respond to Jesus’ call for repentance and transformation. Are we comfortable staying in our spiritual comfort zones, or are we ready to embrace the challenges of true discipleship? God’s mercy is abundant, but it invites us to take action and grow.

Let’s seek opportunities to perform small acts of love that reflect our faith and commitment to Christ. St. Teresa of Calcutta reminds us how to serve others with love, “not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.” 

As we journey further into Lent, let’s keep in mind the urgency of Jesus’ message. The time to bear fruit is now. God’s mercy is limitless, calling us to grow and make a difference in the world. May we open our hearts to Jesus’ call, ready to embrace the challenges of discipleship, and commit ourselves to sharing His love with others. Together, let’s strive to live lives that reflect God’s goodness and bear fruit for His kingdom. 

Fr Arogya Narisetty, C.O.