Third Sunday of Lent Year C: Reflections- Fr. Michael U. Udoekpo
Readings: Exod 3:1-8a, 13-15; Ps 103:1-4, 6-11 and 1 Cor 10:1-6, 10-12 and Luke 13:1-9
Christ, the Living Light in our Lives
As we journey through Lent with the scriptures our confidence in God continues to grow. We are confident in his protection, provisions, love and forgiveness when we turn to him in repentance.
In the 2nd reading of today while originally addressing the Corinth Church, Paul wants us today to learn a lesson from the Book of Exodus (Exodus= going out) the goings and the comings of Israel through the desert guided by Moses, God’s instrument to whom he had revealed Himself to in the burning bush (Exod 3:1-15) of the 1st of the reading. Meals and Water were provided for Israel on this journey. Unfortunately many them were also stuck in the desert of their lives, in their complaints, ingratitude and idolatry. Very slow to recognize the Goodness of the Lord!
Our Christian and daily living is an “exodus.” Think of our going and coming. Each day many of us wake up, exit our homes, come to the church and from the Church’s exit to our cars, offices, places of meetings, shops, court and class rooms, business areas, enter and exit trains, boats and planes and return home most of the time safe with our friends, children, and grand children.
Our journeys are not without ups and downs. Sometimes our cars are broken down and at another time, we find ourselves lucked out of our rooms. Our computers are broken or our telephone lines are not going through or the batteries need recharging. In our offices and work environment we are tempted to over-judged, serve but ourselves, consumed in our self-confidence forgetting the role of God in our journeys and the invitation to exit and empty ourselves for others. Paul warns we must not be like some the ungrateful Israelite.
Christ in the Gospel reading of today (Luke 13:1-9) repeats the same warning. In his goodness for us we are invited to repent and be a healthy fig tree bearing good fruits. Fruits of selfless services, fruits of love, fruits of gratitude, fruits of not over-judging our neighbors and fruits of openness to the message of Christ, his Light and recognition of his divine presence in our lives.
