Lesson of the Week: The Last and Definitive Tragedy

Fr. Albertus Herwanta, O.Carm

Is there such a thing as a life without tragedy? Tragedies, whether human error or natural, are inevitable and can be devastating.

Literature often explores this universal theme, captivating audiences with its portrayal of human suffering, conflict, and the complexities of the human condition.

A classic example is William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, which employs imagery, foreshadowing, and conflict to create a sense of inevitability and devastating consequences.

Tragedy in the Gospel

Today's Gospel reading (Luke 13:1-9) discusses two tragic events. The first is the killing of Galileans by Pilate, whose blood was mingled with the blood of their sacrifices (Luke 13:1).

The second is the collapse of a tower in Siloam, which crushed eighteen people (Luke 13:4).

These tragedies raised ques-tions among the Jews, who believed that the victims were sinners.

However, Jesus shifted the focus from the victims' fate to the importance of repentance. "I tell you, but unless you change your ways, you will all perish as they did" (Luke 13:3, 5).

A Call to Repentance

The message is clear: without repentance, people will perish. Jesus illustrated this point with a parable about a fig tree that failed to produce fruit despite being given three years to do so (Luke 13:6-9). The vineyard owner wanted to cut down the tree. Still, the gardener intervened, asking for one more year to care for and fertilize it. This parable highlights God's expectation that people will bear fruit through repentance.

A Warning and a Promise

The parable warns that God's patience has limits. While Jesus is willing to accompany people on their journey toward repentance, there comes a time when procrastination is no longer acceptable.

If people fail to repent, they will perish, which would be the ultimate tragedy.

A Reflection

As we reflect on this Gospel reading, let us ask ourselves. First, have we responded positively to the call to repentance?

Second, are we putting off our repentance until it's too late?

May we heed Jesus' warning and bear fruit through repentance, lest we suffer the last and definitive tragedy.

Applications: Come to confession

We all need to be reminded of this truth, of the importance of repenting from our sins. We should also pray for the many people, who also need to be reminded of it.

As Catholic Christians, we are blessed with a very clear, concrete way to repent, as often as we need to. It's called going to confession.

In the sacrament of confession, when we live it from the heart, we climb back into the arms of our heavenly Father, hiding nothing, freely admitting our need for him.

Confession is God's gift to us, just as much as the Eucharist, and baptism, and the Church itself. He wants us to make use of it.

As your information, the schedule of Sacrament reconciliation is every Saturday at 5 PM, or you can contact the priest every time you want to make a confession.

Today, he is asking us to let him make us happy, by repenting, by turning away from our sin and selfishness and turning back into his arms. Let's not disappoint him. (*)