24 March 2019. (3º Lent).
It is very easy for us all to make value judgments (to judge) on the various events that happen around us. Who of us has not expressed their indignation at those ‘lay’ processions which take place in certain towns round about? It gives the impression that they are acting directly against what we consider principles of our faith. Are they trying to put us to the test? What is our response? Just rejection and condemnation?
This Sunday’s Gospel has to be a reminder of our Christian commitment. It tells us the parable of the barren fig tree, which is given a new opportunity to bear fruit. God, the Father of mercy, keeps giving us opportunities each year. Let us use the same yardstick for ourselves that we use to measure others. We condemn others with ease, but we continue as usual. That is why Jesus tells us: “If you do not repent, you will all perish in the same way. And St. Paul in his letter warns us: “He who believes he is safe must be careful that he does not fall”.
That God, who sent Moses to save his people from slavery in Egypt, send us the strength of his Spirit, to show us the way of conversion.
Juan Ramon Gomez Pascual, cmf
