Third Sunday of Lent [C]

 


THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT [C]


You’ve heard the expression: Don’t go there!! Essentially that’s what we’re hearing from Jesus in the Gospel of Luke chapter thirteen. The disciples are being warned not to speculate. Yes, a tower did collapse in Siloam (a district located just south of Jerusalem). Yes, eighteen people died as a result. And yes, the reports are true about a council of Galilean conspirators; they have been apprehended and they also have been put to death. 


For your part, you’re thinking this has to do with unconfessed sin. You’re seeing two cases of divine retribution. These untimely deaths have occurred because transgressions were being committed. I’m saying: Think again!! Concentrate on your own transgressions, your own level of culpability! The call for repentance is universal. It’s not as if your purity exceeds the purity of those who died in Siloam or those who died at the hands of Pilate (see Luke 13:1-9).  


In other words, don’t act superior; don’t be smug. Paul issues a similar recommendation to the people of Corinth. If you believe that your position is secure, it means that you are heading for a fall (1st Cor. 10:12). So go on pretending, if that’s your preference. But you’re not doing yourself any kind of real favor. In fact, you are creating a disadvantage for yourself when you resort to the practice of pretending. 


We’ll illustrate by recalling an old fable. It’s a story about a man who has lost his way. Despair is setting in, but suddenly a castle appears before him. He’s welcomed. He’s fed. He’s provided with lodging. With the treatment being so favorable, he begins to wonder: why aren’t there more guests? It’s subsequently explained to him that the castle has magical qualities. It only becomes visible to those who recognize that they are indeed lost. Self-awareness is what has brought you here. Therefore, enjoy what it is that we have to offer! As for those other travelers, it will have to count as their loss. 


Pretending translates into loss. The moral of the story is clear: you’re depriving yourself when you insist on pretending. The disciples are being cautioned. The people of Corinth are likewise being cautioned. Meanwhile, what about the Israelites? Given their circumstances, they can’t afford to pretend. They are definitely in a state of need. There is no use in denying it. They acknowledge their state of need by calling out to the Lord in prayer. The outcry registers, and now a response is beginning to take shape. 


Taking shape in what way? When help arrives, what does it look like? Does it look like a castle? No, it doesn’t look like a castle at all. Actually, it looks distinctly like a bush (see Ex. 3:1-14). It’s a vision reserved for Moses. It’s something he gets to behold. No other witnesses are mentioned. Still, it’s enough that Moses can see the bush. It’s enough that he will receive God’s promise of deliverance. God can be counted upon to fulfill this promise of deliverance. The spectacular events will be outlined for us as we continue to read on in the Book of Exodus. 


Nevertheless, some credit should also be given to the Israelites themselves. They do their part by refusing to pretend. As we noted earlier, pretending translates into loss. It’s all about being honest. Be honest with the Lord. Be honest with yourself. Through the honest approach your needs will be revealed, brought into the light of day. And because you’re spending time in the Book of Exodus, you’ll understand where to go when you’re being faced with an assortment of pressing needs. 

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