Mary Daly, OP

3^rd Sunday of Lent – 23rd March 2025

Luke 13:1-9

Pilgrims of Hope is the motto, the central theme, that was chosen by Pope Francis for this Jubilee year 2025, to contribute ‘to restoring a climate of hope and trust as a prelude to the renewal and rebirth that we so urgently desire’. Isn’t this what we long for, yearn for, ‘a restoration of a climate of hope and trust’ for all people in our world?

    As pilgrims on our journey during this Lenten time, we need hope to sustain us but our Hope is in God, the One in whom we believe, in whom we trust.

     Can we learn a little more about the One in whom we hope through the eyes of Moses, as described to us in the first reading? Moses looking after the flock was led to the far side of the wilderness. It was there he experienced God calling him and saying to him, “I have seen the miserable state of my people … Yes, I am well aware of their sufferings I mean to deliver them…and bring them to a land where milk and honey flow.” And then Moses responds- ‘I am to go…’

    When we reflect on incidents in life, on our pilgrim journey, can we recall a time when we had a sense of being ‘led’ to be aware of a situation and to responding to a need, the needs of another? Didn’t we wish to bring hope to another, the hope that they knew someone cared. Would we have said God was leading us as Moses was led?

   The Gospel today from St. Matthew focuses on the need to repent and gives an account of the Parable Jesus told the assembled crowd. It is about a fig tree, a man who planted it in his vineyard and found no fruit on it after three years, and the man who looked after the vineyard.

    What is Jesus saying to me today as I reflect on this parable? Is this a reminder, an invitation, to reflect on where I may have failed in my relationship with others?  Is this the repentance Jesus speaks of? Is the fig tree a reminder too of how we must now have a greater awareness of how we are in relation to all of creation? How we must work together for the good of all, ‘to contribute to restoring a climate of hope and trust…?’

      Lest we become downhearted during these Pilgrim/Lenten days the psalmist reminds us today, as always

               “The Lord is compassion and love…

                My soul give thanks to the Lord and never forget all his blessings.

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