Coffee With God

Reflection: Luke 13: 1-9

Since February 24, Russia has declared war against Ukraine. News Media have brought us stories of deaths of hundreds of 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. He had called on the faithful for prayer and fasting for peace. The Polish Catholics took to the streets, kneeling on the stone pavements and praying the rosary. Yet, despite the prayers of millions of people worldwide, the aggressors march 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. These tragedies could potentially lead to two reactions from the superstitious Jews. First, they could misinterpret the incidents and believe that it was God’s punishment 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 the Roman oppressors. Jesus however, refuses to buy the misinterpretations of the Jewish leadership. He knows that aggression, anger, hatred, and desire for revenge are useless and counterproductive. Wars are no solution for peace. God does not allow tragedies to punish people for their sins. Seeing certain misfortunes and sorrowful events in history, we too are tempted to blame God for allowing them to happen. But, the Gospel invites us to reflect: What is our idea of God? Are we truly convinced that God wants his children suffer? The problem is, we have made an image of a god, according to “our idea and likeness”? Today, Jesus’ call to conversion is a call to change our way of thinking and to give up our stubbornness. Unfortunately, often times we behave like the tree in the parable of Jesus. Despite the grace of God, we refuse to be productive. However, fortunately for us, Jesus is the 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). 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! 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. 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.