3rd Sunday of Lent- Fr. Leo
Two things come to me as I read our gospel from Luke. The first, is that God is patient in our stumbling toward him in the spiritual life. He knows full-well the challenges we face in being faithful to his love. Just like the fig tree, he is patient, yet one more year to nurture our souls that they might respond to his grace.
The Second thing that comes to me in reflecting on our gospel, is that we should stop procrastinating in our Spiritual lives. Though the Lord is patient, we can not put off accepting his presence in our hearts forever. Many are they who pass with little response to God’s invitations. Sadly, I see this all too often in my ministry at the hospital.
The sad part of not responding to God’s call is abdicating the experience of the eternal in the now. Being blind to the presence of God within and around us, we live lives of desperation, meaninglessness, and anxiousness. Only our turning to the Lord will allow his unconditional love to transform our lives into the fullness of God for which we were created.
The Holy trinity wants us to become part of the community of love that God is; Father, Son and Holy Spirit. There is no greater experience for us now and in eternity, than to live in God as God lives in us. Let us not need the fear of the fires of hell tomotivate us, nor let our listlessness from procrastination deter us. Let us ask now for the Lord to help us live in Him. Let us opt for lives of meaning, peace and love.
“Come, Holy Spirit, enkindle our hearts with the fire of your love. Amen.”