March 23rd, 2025

My Dear Parishioners, 

On this Third Sunday of Lent, the kindness, mercy, compassion, and forgiveness of God is the theme in our readings today. 

In the First Reading, God reveals the divine name to Moses in response to the suffering being inflicted upon

God’s Chosen People in Egypt. The Gospel presents two reminders of God’s mercy: first, Jesus tells His

disciples that evils that happen to people are not the result of God wanting to punish sinners, and sec-ondly, Jesus relates the parable of the fig tree gardener who begs for another chance to do all that he can to enable a barren fig tree to bear good fruit.

The First Reading from the Book of Exodus tells us about the concern of God towards His people suffering in Egypt. He sees the hardships experienced by His chosen people and observes their misery. He had heard their cries and took the initiative to liber ate them from the Egyptian masters. The passage also narrates the wonderful experience of Moses at the Burning Bush. When Moses encountered God in the burning bush, he was just an ordinary shepherd caring for his father in law’s sheep. God revealed

Himself to Moses as He reveals Himself to us today. God showed him His power in the fire that burns and not consumes. Fire is the image of God and expresses His divine presence. Once Moses confronted God he never hesitated to respond to His call. God placed before him the situation of Egypt and that He was fully aware of the untold suffering of His people. God wanted him to go to Egypt and fulfill his mission.

The parable of the fig tree is a lesson for all times and all sinners. God’s mercy is infinite but man’s earthly life, during which he can obtain divine mercy, is very finite. God’s mercy can forgive sins no matter how grievous but it cannot forgive even less serious sin unless the sinner is sorry and asks for forgiveness. Christ is the mediator between God and man. He is continually interceding for us but

unless we do our part of repenting and changing our behavior, His intercession will be of no avail to

us. God does not want anyone to be destroyed but He always respects our freedom and humility to repent. He calls us to be vigilant and alert to listen to Him and respond to Him. The gardener in the parable is Jesus Himself who pleads for us continuously.

During this season of lent, we ask the grace to live in a spirit of renewal and repentance. Moses was asked to change his view and do his mission. Each fig tree is expected to bear fruit that represents the good works and virtues of those who help to build

the Body of Christ. each must answer his calling according to where he has been sent by God. The fig tree is called upon to be generous in the fulfillment of the mission. We have to recognize our nothingness before God and be ready to receive Him during this season of Lent. It is only after such a serious reflection that we shall have that remorse for our failures. Let us ask ourselves, whether God is using this Lenten Season to shower His abundant graces upon us through Jesus Christ so we will repent and transform our lives.                                                    Our God wants to be in a relationship with us. God desires that we accept the gift of faith which is offered to us and that we realize the great love which the Lord Jesus has for us. May you respond to that faith by living a life which produces good fruit.

Amen!!!!

God Bless You, 

Father George,  MSFS