1st Reading, Ex. 3:1-8,13-15; 2nd Reading, 1 Cor. 10:1-6,10-12; Gospel, Luke 13:1-9
Dear brothers and sisters, "This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it" (Psalm 118:24).
MOSES' DIVINE ENCOUNTER IN THE BURNING BUSH
The first reading is the story of God's revelation of Himself to Moses through the burning bush. It was a strange and incomprehensible event. The bush was burning but was not consumed by the fire. To satisfy his curiosity, Moses went to investigate this bizarre episode, but God was waiting for him. It was in this unconventional place that Moses encountered God. God revealed His name to Moses in their dialogue as "I am who I am." This name God says is His name forever and a name with which He shall be known for all ages and for all generations.
God's name, "I am who I am," has connotative meanings such as Unchangeable, Immutable, Everlasting, and Self-Existent. In this beautiful encounter, God sent Moses on a mission to bring the word of God to the Israelites and to help liberate the Israelites from the bondage of slavery in Egypt. He equally made Moses the Leader of His people.
GOD DESIRES OUR ENCOUNTER WITH HIM
It is interesting to see how God makes Himself available and reveals Himself to us, even in the most unconventional way. In the case of Moses, it was a burning bush. Your experience might be different and not as strange as the burning bush.
I am sure so many of us have different stories of divine encounters. I am sure so many of us must have had some experiences in our lives that were nothing short of God leading us or drawing us to have such experiences, no matter how simple or complicated the experiences looked or seemed. One basic fact is God desires our encounter with Him no matter the scenario or the event. And in those encounters with Him, He always has something great for us.
CALAMITY/TRAGEDY VERSUS SIN
In the Gospel reading (Lk. 13: 1-9), Jesus Christ made a case for the Galileans, the victims of Pilate's bloodthirst (Pilate mingled their blood with that of their sacrifices), and those who died when the tower at Siloam fell on them. These people were not the worst sinners, Jesus says, even though calamities befell them.
Jesus is asserting here that calamities, natural disasters, tragedies, and some untold evil that people experience are not necessarily a result of their sins. It does not also show that those who pass through some horrible experiences are the worst sinners; neither does it show punishment from God. People should be careful of the misconception that is pervading and permeating our society that misfortunes and calamities befall us because of our sins.
A CALL TO REPENTANCE
There is still a need for repentance from sin, as sin has consequences. The consequence or wages of sin is death (Rm. 6:23). Jesus stated it clearly, "If you do not repent, you will all perish." Does God want us to perish? No, not all! Instead, it is a call to repentance. The gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Rm.6:23). Eternal life is possible only through repentance.
The concluding parable of the Gospel reading is very vital. It shows us that God is willing to be patient with us. He continues offering us opportunities to return to him, change our ways, and repent of our sins. Like the gardener and the owner who gave the barren fig tree a second chance to produce, Jesus and, indeed, God provide us with the opportunity of a second chance.
Every day of our life is an opportunity for a second chance that God gives us to come back to him. Let us use the gifts of the Holy Spirit and the word of God we hear daily to cultivate and nurture our faith for productivity.
Always remember that Jesus loves you!