,%20WGA.jpg)
Readings (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan,)
Readings (English Standard Version, Catholic Edition: England & Wales, India, Scotland)
Readings (New American Bible: Philippines, USA)
Gospel Luke 13:1-9 (English Standard Version, Anglicised)
There were some present at that very time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And he answered them, ‘Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered in this way? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.’
And he told
this parable: ‘A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came
seeking fruit on it and found none. And he said to the vine dresser, “Look, for
three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none.
Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?” And he answered him, “Sir, let
it alone this year also, until I dig round it and put on manure. Then if it
should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it
down.” ’
A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none (Luke 13:6; Gospel).
More than 40 years ago a friend brought me to visit a widow in her 80s in Long Island, New York. I was spending a month working in a nearby parish. I remember clearly that the woman, whom I never met again, was feisty and we had lively discussions on a number of matters, expressing different views but with good humour and respect.
But what I remember most clearly was that when I put something on top of her Bible on the sideboard she very gently but very clearly and firmly pointed out to me that that book was God's word and should be treated with the greatest respect. My friend was saying the equivalent of For the place on which you are standing is holy ground.
It was the same summer, 1982 if I remember correctly, when a fire broke out in a synagogue in Boston. It held precious copies of the Torah, the first five books of the Hebrew Bible (what Christians call the Old Testament), including the Book of Exodus from which today's First Reading is taken, and the rabbi wanted to save them. But the firefighters would not allow him to go inside because it was too dangerous. However, the Catholic chaplain of the fire department was there and insisted on going in. He was able to save these precious copies of God's word.
Both of these incidents, one personal the other public, reminded me of the respect we owe to copies of the Bible and to the lectionaries we use at Mass for the reading of God's word. Above all, we are called to respect and to take to heart the Word that these books contain. I felt chastened by the quiet reprimand of the elderly woman in Long Island and a great sense of pride and gratitude for what my brother priest in Boston had done. He risked his life to save precious copies of God's word.
In today's First Reading God reveals to Moses Who He is: God said to Moses, “I am who I am.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel, ‘I am has sent me to you.’” God also said to Moses, “Say this to the people of Israel: 'The Lord, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’ This is my name for ever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations."
God also shows himself to be a God who hears and
loves his people: Then the Lord said, “I have surely
seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt and have heard their cry
because of their taskmasters. I know their sufferings, and I
have come down to deliver them . . .
The Responsorial Psalm reveals a God who
crowns you with love and compassion (Jerusalem Bible). The New English Bible, which is not
used in any of our lectionaries, translates that line beautifully this way:
God surrounds me with constant love, with tender affection.
Communion Antiphon Cf Ps 83 [84]:4-5
Traditional Latin Mass
Third Sunday in Lent
The Complete Mass in Latin and English is here. (Adjust the date at the top of that page to 03-23-2025 if necessary).
No comments:
Post a Comment