Unless One Repents
Jesus said to the Jews, “Those eighteen people who were killed when the tower at Siloam fell on them— do you think they were more guilty than everyone else who lived in Jerusalem? By no means! But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did!” Luke 13:1-9
3rd Sunday of Lent C
God is good. Ezekiel said He does not wish the sinner to die but to return to Him and live. God forgives every sinner no matter how big their sins are as long as they acknowledge themselves as sinners needing forgiveness.
Unfortunately, this was lacking among the Pharisees who were self-righteous seeing no need for redemption.
There was a drug lord who grew rich destroying lives of countless youth in selling drugs. Some old ladies who attended daily mass prayed that God punish the man for his sins. Apparently, God heard them for the drug lord soon had a heart attack that left him half paralyzed. The ladies were happy but only for time. The drug lord later attended a cursillo retreat and got converted. Later the man was already teaching catechism to young children and even distributing holy communion as a eucharistic minister. The same old ladies then asked God why did God not kill the man outright in the first place.
Who is the good Christian among these people? The drug lord who repented of his sins or the old ladies who wanted him to go to hell?
Many sinners do not dare enter the church because they feel unworthy. They do not know that because of their sins they need the Lord more. The situation gets worse because people who are in the church are discriminating them refusing them entry in the church.
God through Ezekiel was clear when He spoke. “If a righteous person turns from their righteousness and commits sin, they will die for it; because of the sin they have committed they will die. But if a wicked person turns away from the wickedness they have committed and does what is just and right, they will save their life.” Ezekiel 18:26-27. It seems unfair but it is not. It simply the way God is – just but merciful.
But today’s gospel is also quite clear that in saying that unless one repents, he would perish. Have we already repented? Or do we condemn sinners and see ourselves only as upright?
Disclaimer: This section of the website is a personal creative writing of the author and does not necessarily reflect the official views, opinion, or policies of the Salesians of Don Bosco – Philippines South Province. For concerns on the content, style, and grammar of this piece, please contact us.
