3C LENT SUNDAY HOMILY, LUKE 13:1-9 MARCH 23, 2025
1. STORY
A missionary
priest working in a poor country was not getting many converts. Because pigs were highly prized in that
mission country, he imported the biggest and best pigs from his country. As he expected, many people came from the
jungle villages to see these amazing animals. One day he went to inspect the pigs and
discovered that one of his prized pigs was missing. Realizing it had been stolen, he was very
upset and went out into the villages looking for it. He finally found the pig in the house of the
village chief. In anger he hit the chief
and took back his pig. After some
reflection, the priest was very sorry for what he had done to the chief. He then went back to the village and asked for
forgiveness and left one of his pigs as a gift to the chief. A few days later the chief, along with many
others, came to the church wanting to know more about God who was able to so
profoundly change the heart of the priest. The priest repented for what he had done.
2. GOSPEL, LUKE
13:1-9
A. YOU MUST
REPENT
Jesus warned the people of the importance of repentance to avoid future suffering. He gave two examples of people who had suffered as a result of their not changing their lives.
B. IT MAY BEAR
FRUIT IN THE FUTURE
Jesus gave the
example to a fig tree which had not produced any figs and was about to be cut
down. The caretaker asked for more time
as he would give it special care hoping that it would bear fruit.
3. APPLICATION TO
LIFE
A. THE MEANING OF
“TO REPENT”
The meaning of
“to repent” is to change our hearts. Just
as we can change our watch if it is running too fast or too slow or our clothes
if the weather is too hot or too cold. With
the help of God, we can change our hearts. Here are three examples.
i) If there is
hatred in our hearts, we can put love.
ii) If there is
revenge, we can put forgiveness.
iii) If there is anger, we can put peace. We ask Jesus to help us repent.
B. IT MAY BEAR
FRUIT IN THE FUTURE
Just as one
expects a fig tree, an apple tree, or a cherry tree to produce figs, apples, or
cherries, so does God expect us, his followers and disciples, to produce fruit
in the form of good works. Here are
three examples of doing good works.
i) If there is
someone you hate, ask God for the strength to pray for him and to have the
strength to wish that person well.
ii) If you want
to take revenge on someone, ask for the power to forgive that person no matter
what he/she may have done to hurt you. iii) If you are angry with someone, ask
God for the strength to make peace with that person. In doing good works, you become merciful as
your heavenly father is merciful. You
bring happiness to others and, of course, you bring happiness to yourself.
4. CONCLUSION
The missionary
priest repented asking for forgiveness from the offended village chief. Jesus teaches us to change our hearts. God will help us repent.
