The Second Sunday in Lent (CL)

Luke 13:1-9

There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. ² And he answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? ³ No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. ⁴ 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? ⁵ No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”

⁶ 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. ⁷ And he said to the vinedresser, ‘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?’ ⁸ And he answered him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure. ⁹ Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’ ”

This text is often used for tragic events, it reminds us that we are always sinners and in need of a savior. Could you image making the choice of taking on mortal life? I always get The Lord of the Rings names mixed up, but the elf chooses a mortal life because of love. She chooses to eventually die, so she could join with a human. Would you choose mortality?

The wages of sin is death. And even though many of us are not lying on our deathbed death could find us any day, or hour. This only need remind us that we are mortal. We did not choose a mortal life, but on account of sin we were born into a mortal life. Death makes known that we are sinners and in need of a savior.

That Savior has come and chosen a mortal life for you. He is born under the law. He is crucified for your transgressions. He delivers you from eternal damnation to life everlasting. Not the same as some elf choosing a mortal life, but is your savior. Therefore, when you see death, repent for they were not any worse than you. We all have a mortal life and need forgiveness.