March 5, 2010
Sunday Scripture
Third Sunday of Lent
BY FATHER DONALD DILGER
The context into which Luke places this episode may help to understand his meaning. The previous chapter contained much advice about seeking the kingdom of God and a warning that “the master” (Jesus) can return at any time from a marriage banquet (heaven). A major warning follows: “. . . you know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky (the weather), so why don’t you know how to interpret the present time?” Luke warns his readers to be ready at all times for the return of Jesus. This leads to the discussion in today’s gospel about people who die suddenly and unexpectedly.
Luke gives three examples. Some people told Jesus about his fellow-Galileans who had come to Jerusalem to offer their sacrifices in the temple, how Pontius Pilate mingled their blood with their sacrifices. Pilate usually lived in Caesarea on the Mediterranean coast, but on the pilgrimage festivals — Passover, Pentecost and Booths — he came with his troops to Jerusalem. There was usually political unrest during the feasts. The presence of the Romans both caused the unrest and controlled it. We know nothing about this particular incident, but we do know that Pilate sometimes used strong and even murderous methods to control the crowds. No love was lost between Pilate and his subjects in Judea.
Jesus asks a question of those who reported this incident: “Do you think these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way?” The question is rhetorical, and Jesus answers it himself: “No way, but unless you repent you will (may) perish in the same way,” that is, unexpectedly. The lesson is clear: Be ready at all times. Jesus asks a second question: “What about the eighteen people crushed to death in the fall of the tower in Siloam? Do you think they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem at the time?” Again he answers his own question: ”No way, but unless you repent you will (may) likewise perish (unexpectedly). Jesus seems to warn that those who do not live in a state of repentance will more readily die horrible deaths than will other people. Probably this is not Luke’s teaching. His teaching is rather that disaster can strike anyone at any time, so be ready.
The Lucan Jesus adds a parable about a fig tree planted in a vineyard. The owner came by annually for three years looking for figs, but found none. He wanted his employee to cut the tree down. The employee begged the owner to let him try once more to get the tree to produce. He would till around the tree and put manure on the freshly tilled ground. “If it bears fruit next year, fine. If not, you can still cut it down.” As usual, Jesus leaves his hearers to thrash out the meaning themselves. The tilling of the ground and the added manure symbolize repentance or faith and good works.
If the tree had human feelings and speech it might object to its roots being disturbed and the unpleasant aroma of manure. Repentance is difficult, but we, like the tree, have to have our roots disturbed and become “coprophages,” (manure-eaters). To produce fruit, the tree must absorb the manure as we have to absorb repentance. Why? “Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish!” Like the unsheathed sword which, in a fable, hangs by a single horsehair over the head of Damocles, so our life hangs by only a thread which can break at any time. Lent is a time to meditate on how fragile is the natural life which will not endure, and resolve to mingle it with supernatural life which will endure,
Moses was in the wilderness of Sinai. Quite a change from the royal prerogatives he had enjoyed in Egypt as an adopted son of the Pharaoh’s daughter. He had recognized his bond with his fellow-Hebrews, when he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew. Moses killed the Egyptian, hid the body in the sand. The deed became known and Moses had to flee from the homicidal anger of the Pharaoh. At a water source in the wilderness he met his wife Zipporah, “twittering bird,” and led a peaceful life tending the flocks of his father-in-law Jethro. God calls at inconvenient times, as we saw in today’s gospel. Moses encounters God in a shrub on fire. Up to that time, God had had many names, for example, “the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” That same God now reveals himself by another name, “I AM.” The power of that name enables Moses to answer God’s call to lead God’s people from the slavery of Egypt to the land of promise.
Paul warns the men of Corinth. They are now Christians and must avoid the pagan temples and the temple prostitutes who were sometimes part of pagan temple rituals. As Christians, the Corinthians are now a privileged people. But so were the Israelites. They too ate holy food (the manna), and drank holy drink (water from the rock). But when some of them became idolaters and indulged in orgiastic immorality, the Lord slew 23,000 in one day. Paul assures them. God will not let them be tempted beyond their strength.