The son of Mary has received the name Jesus.  For he has come not to judge us, but to save us from our sins. 

We do not know why folks brought Jesus the news about Pilate’ cruel and sacrilegious deed against Galileans.  But no matter their reasons, today’s gospel teaches that we all have to change so Jesus can save us.

And to change is to admit, in the first place, that we are sinners.  For no one is holy before God.  To know we sin also means we do not think, as the Pharisee does, that we are better than others.

Hence, we let go, too, of the common belief that God uses violent deaths, accidents and misfortunes to punish those who sin.  For to believe so would be to compare ourselves to others, deeming victims to be greater sinners than we are.  It would also mean to judge others.

But God hands out no illnesses, accidents, woes, to his sons and daughters to punish them for their sins.  For he shows much understanding and great patience.  After all, he knows we are dust.  And he is like a gardener; he does not easily give up on us.

To repent, then, means also to have God’s patience and understanding.  We shall thus change, and think and act as he does.

And he wants us, besides, to change so that we open our hearts and hands to those going through misfortunes.  In place of finding fault and guilt in them, we should  help them in all kinds of ways.  And get others to help them, too, in the same way.  That is how we preach the Good News to the poor by words and by works (SV.EN XII:77-79).

In other words, to change is to follow Jesus so that we live and die serving those who are poor.  And we can thus be sure that Jesus will save us (SV.EN XI:311).

Lord Jesus Christ, help is to help others pass from joy and light through sorrow to glory.  We live since you nourish us with your body and blood.  Grant that such eating and drink give us the strength to nourish others in the same way.  You shall thus save us indeed from our sins, though we should not think we stand secure. 

23 March 2025
Third Sunday of Lent (C)
Ex 3, 1-8a. 13-15; 1 Cor 10, 1-6. 10-12; Lk 13, 1-9