Lectio Divina Meditation for Third Sunday of Lent

Third Sunday of Lent Year C
March 7
“Repentance and The Patient Mercy of God”

1. Lectio
Luke 13:1-9
1 It was just about this time that some people arrived and told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with that of their sacrifices. At this he said to them,
2 'Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than any others, that this should have happened to them? 3 They were not, I tell you. No; but unless you repent you will all perish as they did.
4 Or those eighteen on whom the tower at Siloam fell, killing them all? Do you suppose that they were more guilty than all the other people living in Jerusalem? 5 They were not, I tell you. No; but unless you repent you will all perish as they did.'
6 He told this parable,
'A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came looking for fruit on it but found none. 7 He said to his vinedresser, "For three years now I have been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and finding none. Cut it down: why should it be taking up the ground?"
8 "Sir," the man replied, "leave it one more year and give me time to dig round it and manure it: 9 it may bear fruit next year; if not, then you can cut it down." '

Lectio Comments
The main theme for all the readings of this Sunday is ‘Repentance.’ Repentance does not just merely mean feeling sorry for one’s sins. Repentance means rejecting our sinful way of life and turning to God in order that one may now be obedient to his Word. We should not just merely think of repenting because we fear punishment from God. Fear is never the reason for repentance. We repent because we have come to understand the amazing love of God. God’s love is seen in his mercy and patience with us. But we must never forget that God is both merciful and just. And so, unless we repent of our sins, we too may suffer the ‘wages of sin’ which is everlasting death.

2. Meditatio
1. Do I feel sorry for my sins because of fear of death or God’s punishment or because I have experienced the love of God?
2. Am I bearing fruit in my spiritual life? Am I experiencing conversion in my life?

3. Oratio
God of all compassion,
Rich in mercy and kindness.
Help us to repent and turn away from our sins
in order to embrace you and follow your saving will.
We acknowledge our sinfulness.
When our weakness causes discouragement,
let your love fill us with hope.
May your mercy move us to respond
to the grace of redeeming love you offer us
in Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever..
Amen

4. Contemplatio
Contemplate on the theme of God’s mercy and how he has been patient with you in spite of your sinfulness.

5. Actio
1. Personal Life – Do a daily examination of conscience and also find an opportunity to go for the Sacrament of Reconciliation within this season of Lent.
2. Communal Life – Reach out to someone in your family or community that you have not spoken to or contacted for a long time.