‘For what will it profit a man, if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life? Or what shall a man give in return for his life? (Mt 16:26).
Introduction
Ordinarily, one works hard to protect and preserve whatever one cherishes. We always keep eye on the things we love to make sure they are not lost. One guides them jealously because they are precious. We value the source of our wealth because they meant a lot to us. And we value our treasuries like gold, diamonds, and other valuables. We even purchase special protective guides like the safe to keep them. In this jet age, we even mount camaras where these treasuries are stored to watch over them in our phones because they are important to us. And that’s how God is keeping eye on us because we are special to him. He created us to live in freedom on earth and according to his will to be with him at the end of our earthly life. He needs our soul, the vital part of our life to come back to him. We are his people, ‘the apple of his eye’ (cf Ps 17:8). As such, he has never failed to call us back to himself through repentance when we go astray.
The Fragility of Life and the Certainty of Death
Earthly life is very fragile and limited. It is certain that one day we shall depart to be with the Lord and give account of our stewardship but the way and how we shall depart is not known to anyone but God. Death can occur at any time. It could be in one’s young, middle, or old age. It could also be unexpected and even when we are doing something good. Our good deeds or goodness does not determine when it will happen.
The gospel today gives an account of some Galileans who were murdered by Pilate as they have gone to worship in the Temple. It also mentioned the collapse of the tower that crushed eighteen people in Jerusalem. These were unfortunate and tragic incidences that happened to people amidst their good works, yet they met their untimely death. They never knew it would be the end of their lives by no fault of theirs. It was not also because of their sins as many would regard it and many would believe it more in our generation. We do not know how and when the end-of-life will come. God is only interested in our righteousness and our state of life and not in the unfortunate and misfortunes that come our way. Those are human and worldly calculations. For God, only good and righteous life is what counts. That is what is important to him and the reason behind the constant, urgent call for repentance less we perish.
Lent: A Decisive Moment of Repentance
Jesus makes it clear in the gospel that ‘unless you repent you will perish’ (Lk 13:5). That means when we repent, we shall not perish but live. There is no better time to repent than the Lent season because it is a favorable time; a time when the grace of God is in abundance. It is a great time we turn away from sin and turn to God. We should not allow this opportunity to slip through us. We should not occupy the space that could have been given to others for nothing because it would yield a better result of repentance if offered to another.
Being Alive: An Opportunity to Repentance
God has no pleasure in the death of the wicked but rejoices in his conversion. Being alive is by his grace and gift too. The earth is not our destination but the heavenly abode at the end of our earthly journey. People die every day and we do not have our date at hand. It can occur at any time. We are all being given time to get ready and make up what have been lost just as the parable of the fig tree depicts. Many have died and we are still alive. Being alive is the year of grace the gardner had requested for the fig tree. We should not be occupying space others would have used to be better. It would be a double tragedy not to blossom while occupying space. We must not abuse this opportunity but use it to turn a new leaf in repentance.
Conclusion
To whom much is given, much is expected. God has given us extra time as far as we are alive. We should not give further excuse but heed to his clarion call of repentance less we perish. Let us not wait any longer nor abuse this extra time. It is now or we perish.
Peace be with you.
[Readings: Exodus 3:1-8a, 13-15; 1 Corinthians 10:1-6, 10-12; Luke 13:1-9]
