Reflections from the February 28 Gospel
Luke 13:1-9
“But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did!” Who wants to repent? Who wants to change habits, make sacrifices, or chart a more challenging course? Repentance isn’t the easy road. Perhaps that’s why Jesus had to speak with such boldness in today’s Gospel. Repent, or perish. Not what we like to hear. Not what we like to do. But we would be foolish not to listen.
The entire Gospel message is certainly one of mercy and compassion. Jesus was the first to show forgiveness to sinners, and he always called others to do the same. He suffered and died so that we wouldn’t have to suffer eternal death. But the fact remains that we can still choose to “perish,” to stay rooted in our favorite sins and to cling tightly to the comfortable vices that stifle a virtuous life. But Jesus urges us to change so that we can enjoy the eternal benefits of his mercy. Lent is a time especially built for repentance. These forty days are a response to Christ’s stern warning that we need to repent in order to save our souls. Let’s not pretend to be exempt from the message. Lent is meant for all of us.
Questions of the Week
Luke 13:1-9:
What is the fruit you bear in your life
as a Christian?
Exodus 3:1-8a, 13-15:
How do you see God characterized in the call of Moses?
1 Corinthians 10:1-6, 10-12:
In what ways do you see the stories of the Old Testament as both example and warning?