Since February 24, Russia has declared war against Ukraine. News Media have brought us stories of deaths and destruction of hundreds of people, most of them civilians—including pregnant women and children. Pope Francis personally went up to the Russian Embassy in Rome to dissuade Russia from going ahead with the war, and he had called on all the faithful for prayer and fasting for peace in Ukraine. The Polish Catholics took to the streets praying the rosary while kneeling on the stone pavements. Despite the prayers of millions of people worldwide, the aggressor marches ahead, destroying lives and livelihood. In today’s gospel, two tragic events are reported: a cruel suppression carried out by Roman soldiers in the temple and the collapse of the tower of Siloam in Jerusalem, which resulted in 18 deaths.
The tragedies that claimed innocent lives could potentially lead to two reactions from the superstitious Jews. First, they could misinterpret the events and believe that if those people died in such a cruel way, it was a sign that God was punishing them for some grave sin they had committed as if to say “they deserved it”. The second reaction could be cultivating feelings of violence, vengeance, and resentment against their oppressors—Pilate and the Roman soldiers.
Jesus is undoubtedly sensitive to human sufferings and misfortunes. However, he refuses to buy the misinterpretations of the Jewish leadership. He knows that aggression, disdain, anger, hatred, and desire for revenge are useless and counterproductive. Wars are no solution for peace. Jesus rejects this outlook because God does not allow tragedies to punish sins.
However, Seeing certain misfortunes and sorrowful events in history, today we are also tempted to “unload” the responsibility onto the victims or blame God. But, the gospel invites us to reflect: What idea do we have of God? Are we truly convinced that God lets his children suffer, or is it not our projection that we have made a god according to “our idea and likeness”? The call of Jesus to conversion is a call to change our way of thinking.
Unfortunately, each of us strongly resembles the tree that, over many years, has repeatedly shown that it is infertile. However, fortunately for us, Jesus is like a farmer who, with limitless patience, still obtains a concession for the fruitless vine. “Leave it alone this year”—he said to the owner—“we shall see if it bears fruit next year” (cf. v. 9).
During the time of Lent, the Lord invites us to convert. Each of us must correct something in our lives, in our way of thinking, behaving, and living our relationships with others. We are invited to imitate the patience of God, who trusts in everyone’s ability to “rise again” and to continue the journey.
This one year is a “year” of grace — the period of Christ’s mercy offered to us as occasions of repentance and salvation. The invincible patience of Jesus!
For your reflection
Have you thought about the patience of God? Have you ever thought as well of his limitless concern for sinners? It is never too late to convert. God’s patience awaits us until the last moment.
Father Josekutty
Mathew CMF
