March 23rd, 2025 - Third Sunday of Lent

We have a very strange set of images in the Scripture readings on this Third Sunday of Lent: a burning bush, a falling tower, and a barren fig tree. As different as they are, they all speak to us of human suffering and of God’s mercy – two powerful themes for our Lenten reflection. We’ve all been innocent victims of bad things happening to us and to others. Any story of suffering can make us wonder about God. Why does God allow us to suffer? Does God really care about us? Where is God in the midst of our suffering? Notice that the final image from today is of God as the gardener who refuses to give up and cut down the barren fig tree, even when the fig tree fails to produce fruit for three straight years. This image suggests God is patient, kind, and merciful with us, even when we are suffering. When we celebrate and receive the Eucharist at Mass, the Lord gives us the grace we need to sustain us in good times and bad, in winning seasons and losing seasons, in moments of joy and moments of suffering.