Today’s Gospel begins with people asking Jesus about two groups who suffered greatly: Galileans whose blood was mingled by Pontius Pilate with the blood of Roman pagan sacrifices; and a group of 18 people who were the victims of a terrible accident when the tower of Siloam fell upon them. The question: Did these poor people suffer because they were guilty of great sin? Jesus rebuffs that notion:
Do you think they were more guilty than anyone else who lived in Jerusalem? By no means! But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will perish as they did!
I think Jesus is teaching about the notion of personal responsibility when it comes to sin. Instead of looking at sin as the reason that other people suffer calamities, we need to look instead to ourselves. Jesus says, not once but twice: “If you do not repent, you will perish as they did.”
The lack of personal responsibility for sin seems to be symptomatic to our modern age. We are quick to point fingers at others when something goes wrong, instead of owning up to something if we are to blame. It’s easier to blame society or government or childhood upbringing instead of shouldering the responsibility when it comes to personal sinfulness. That’s what repentance is all about.
Thomas Merton, the Trappist mystic, spoke of repentance when he reflected on the Good Thief at the Cross of Jesus in his book, No Man Is an Island:
The dying thief had, perhaps, disobeyed the will of God in many things: but in the most important event of his life, he listened and obeyed.
Personal responsibility for sin is difficult, no doubt about that. Jesus tells a parable of hope that lifts us up as we learn to repent and seek God’s forgiveness.
There once was a person who had a fig tree planted in his orchard. He said to the gardener, “For three years now I have come in search of fruit on this fig tree but have found none. So cut it down. Why should it exhaust the soil?” He said to him in reply, “Sir, leave it for this year also, and I shall cultivate the ground around it and fertilize it; it may bear fruit in the future. If not you can cut it down.”
Jesus is that gardener who advocates for us to the Father and gives us the grace to grow and bear fruit. But first, we must repent and take personal responsibility for our sinfulness. And if repentance is difficult, remember that God’s grace is enough to help us seek forgiveness and grow in his love.
3rd Sunday of Lent Entrance Antiphon My Eyes Are Always on the Lord [Option 1] (Steve Angrisano, Sarah Hart and Curtis Stephan)
Let Us All Rejoice # 71
Lent is a good time to consider using the proper Entrance and Communion Antiphons of the Roman Missal. Let Us All Rejoice offers creative and memorable contemporary settings for each Sunday or major celebration of the year.
Entrance Chant What Wondrous Love (Traditional; arr. by Josh Blakesley)
Spirit & Song #364
This grand traditional hymn shares the Entrance Antiphon’s focus on the Lord who rescues us from the curse of sin, with an exciting contemporary arrangement by Josh Blakesley.
Responsorial Psalm The Lord Is Kind and Merciful (Jesse Manibusan)
Spirit & Psalm 2025: p. 118
Jesse’s verbatim setting of Psalm 103 points toward the Parable of the Gardener in today’s Gospel.
Lenten Gospel Acclamation Glory to You, Word of God: Mass of St. Mary Magdalene (Sarah Hart)
Spirit & Psalm 2025: p. 120
“Repent,” says the Lord. This acclamation helps us focus on the Gospel we will hear proclaimed by our deacon or priest.
Presentation and Preparation of the Gifts Mercy on Me (Sarah Hart)
Sarah’s thoughtful song of repentance is an appropriate prayer for this 3rd Sunday of Lent. You will find the sheet music in the link above.
3rd Sunday of Lent Communion Antiphon The Sparrow Finds a Home [Option 2] (Steve Angrisano, Sarah Hart and Curtis Stephan)
Let Us All Rejoice # 74
Memorable melodies are a unique feature of the Let Us All Rejoice antiphon settings. Many of these melodic motifs repeat throughout the year, and that allows for quick learning by our choirs and assemblies.
Communion Chant Tend the Ground (Curtis Stephan)
Breaking Bread #624
Curtis’ anthem, based on Pope Francis’ encyclical, Laudato Si, references the agrarian imagery of Jesus’ parable in today’s Gospel. It is a song of hope in God the Gardener who nurtures us with grace and mercy.
Sending Forth Purify My Heart (Brian Doerksen)
Spirit & Song #160; Never Too Young #182
I never cease to be amazed at how much young people love singing this Lenten favorite.
Liturgy Blog is a weekly liturgy planning resource for musicians, liturgists, homilists, youth groups, faith sharing groups, and all who look to the liturgical readings for inspiration and nourishment. Join Ken Canedo as he breaks open the Scripture and suggests tracks from the Spirit & Song contemporary repertoire.
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