3rd Sunday of Lent Study Guide

Key Themes

• God's Patience and Judgment: The readings explore the tension between God's present patience and the eventual coming of judgment. The parable of the fig tree highlights this dynamic, where a period of grace is given before a consequence is enacted.
• The Nature of Evil and Suffering: Several sources grapple with the question of why bad things happen. A key distinction is made between God permitting evil and God being the direct cause of evil. Good can emerge from evil, but evil is not God's will.
• Bearing Fruit: The Gospel of Luke uses the metaphor of a barren fig tree to call believers to action and productivity in building God's Kingdom. This fruitfulness is linked to repentance and a turning away from sin.
• Repentance and Conversion: The readings emphasize the importance of acknowledging one's own sinfulness and the need for ongoing repentance. The consequences of failing to repent are also addressed.
• God's Holiness and Our Response: The encounter of Moses with the burning bush underscores the holiness of God and the appropriate reverence and humility required in God's presence. This encounter also marks a call to action.
• Love and Action: Several homilies connect the themes of Lent to practical actions of love, justice, and reconciliation towards others, emphasizing that faith should lead to tangible good works.
• The Value of Life: The parable of the fig tree is also interpreted through the lens of the value of human life, suggesting that God gives individuals time and grace to bear fruit and contribute.

Frequently Asked Questions: Reflecting on the Third Sunday of Lent

• Why does the theme of God's patience appear alongside the idea of eventual judgment in the readings for the Third Sunday of Lent? The readings emphasize that God, in His love and mercy, offers humanity time and grace to repent and bear good fruit, much like the gardener in the parable of the fig tree who pleads for another year. However, this patience is not endless. The barren fig tree that fails to produce fruit after a period of cultivation faces being cut down, illustrating that there will be a time of reckoning or judgment. This tension highlights the urgency of responding to God's call to repentance and action during the present time of grace.
• How do the sources explain the existence of evil and suffering in the world, especially in relation to God's actions? The sources strongly assert that while good can emerge from evil, God is not the direct cause of evil. God permits evil, allowing for human free will and the consequences of actions, but He does not send evil as a means to bring about good. Disasters and suffering are attributed to various factors like natural forces, human actions, or the inherent brokenness of the world, not as direct punishments from God. God's role is one of love, mercy, and bringing good out of challenging situations, as seen in the Paschal Mystery where salvation arose from the evil of Jesus' suffering and death.
• What does the metaphor of the barren fig tree signify in the context of Lent? The barren fig tree serves as a powerful symbol for individuals and communities that are not producing spiritual fruit or engaging in actions that build God's Kingdom. This fruitlessness is often linked to a lack of repentance, a failure to turn away from sin, and an absence of tangible good works and love for others. The parable is a call to self-examination during Lent, urging believers to assess whether they are actively contributing to God's purposes and to take steps to become productive in their faith.
• What is the significance of repentance and conversion during the Lenten season according to these sources? Repentance and conversion are central to the message of Lent. The readings stress the importance of acknowledging personal sinfulness and the continuous need to turn back to God. The consequences of failing to repent are also highlighted, suggesting a path toward spiritual barrenness and eventual judgment. Lent provides a dedicated time for this self-reflection, urging individuals to recognize their shortcomings and seek God's mercy, leading to a transformation of heart and action.
• How does the encounter of Moses with the burning bush relate to the themes of the Third Sunday of Lent? The story of the burning bush emphasizes the holiness of God and the appropriate response of reverence and humility, symbolized by Moses being asked to remove his sandals as he stood on holy ground. This encounter also marks God's initiative in calling Moses to a specific action – the liberation of his people. Similarly, Lent is a time to recognize God's presence in our lives, even in the "desolate places," and to be open to His call to action, responding with our own "Here I am," signifying a willingness to serve His will.
• In what practical ways do the homilies suggest that believers can "bear fruit" during Lent and beyond? The homilies offer various practical suggestions for bearing fruit, emphasizing that faith should lead to tangible actions of love, justice, and reconciliation. These include reaching out to estranged family members, educating oneself on social issues, volunteering time and energy to help the needy, speaking out against injustice, and performing small acts of kindness. The key message is that even seemingly insignificant actions can contribute to building God's Kingdom and that now is the time for active engagement rather than complacency.
• What do the sources say about God as the ultimate judge and the value of human life? The sources affirm that God, particularly the Father as identified by Jesus, is the ultimate judge of human life. The value of human life is not based solely on utility or societal contribution but is inherent, stemming from the fact that God created humanity in His image and that Jesus, the Son of God, chose to live a human life, triumphing over sin and death. This act validates the worth of every individual, and therefore, judging the worth of another person is cautioned against.
• What is the primary message regarding God's involvement in disasters and the importance of focusing on our own need for repentance rather than judging others? The sources consistently convey that God is love and does not orchestrate disasters to punish individuals or groups for their sins. Attributing such events to divine retribution is a misunderstanding of God's nature. Instead, the focus should be on our own sinfulness and the urgent need for personal repentance and conversion. It is easier to point out the perceived flaws and sufferings of others, but the core message of the Third Sunday of Lent is a call to self-examination and a turning away from our own shortcomings before God.

Quiz

1. According to the source "C: 3rd Sunday of Lent - Building on the Word," what is a crucial distinction Christians should make regarding evil and God's actions?
2. In the homily "A Job For Somebody," what analogy is used to describe the lack of action in building God's Kingdom, and what is the call to the reader?
3. What common sin did the parents confess in the "Patience, Patience" homily, and what good news is offered in relation to this struggle?
4. According to the "Not Enough Time" homily, what is the important question we should ask ourselves regarding the use of our limited time?
5. In the "Common Sense or Hope" reflection, what is the contrasting perspective offered by the master and the gardener in the parable, and what is the lesson about decision-making?
6. How does the "Fr. Bob's Homily" interpret the symbolism of the fruitless fig tree, and what kind of actions does it encourage during Lent?
7. In Father Hanly's homily "Holy Ground," what is the significance of God telling Moses to remove his sandals at the burning bush?
8. According to the "Lent-3rd Sunday (C)" reflection, what is the primary message regarding God's role in disasters and suffering?
9. What point does "Sooner or Later Judgment Must Come" make about focusing on the sins of others versus our own need for repentance?
10. According to the "The Value of a Life" reflection, who is identified as the ultimate judge of human life, and what validates the worth of a life?

Quiz Answer Key

1. Christians believe that good can come out of evil, but they do not believe that God directly sends evil so that goodness can emerge; God permits evil, but is not its source.
2. The analogy of Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, and Nobody is used, highlighting how a necessary job (building God's Kingdom) goes undone when everyone assumes someone else will do it; the call is for each individual to identify and perform one action to build God's Kingdom.
3. The common sin was impatience with family members; the good news is that God is always patient with us, even when we are not patient with ourselves.
4. The important question is not how much time we have to do everything, but how much time we have to do what is really important.
5. The master represents common sense and the need to cut losses, while the gardener embodies hope and the belief in potential growth with more time and effort; the lesson is the value of seeking counsel from those with different perspectives.
6. The fruitless fig tree symbolizes people who take without giving back; the homily encourages reaching out and performing small acts of kindness and good during Lent.
7. It signifies that the ground is holy due to God's presence and calls for reverence and humility when encountering the divine.
8. The primary message is that God is love and does not use disasters to punish people; there are other reasons for bad things happening, such as natural forces or human actions.
9. The homily emphasizes that it is easy to focus on the sins of others, but we must first discern our own need for repentance and address our own shortcomings before God.
10. Jesus identifies his heavenly Father as the only legitimate judge of human life; the fact that God chose to live a human life and triumph over sin and death is the greatest validation of life's worth.

Essay Format Questions

1. Explore the different perspectives presented in the provided sources on the problem of evil and suffering. How do these perspectives reconcile the existence of evil with the nature of a loving God?
2. Analyze the parable of the barren fig tree as it is interpreted across the various homilies. What common messages or calls to action emerge from these interpretations for the season of Lent?
3. Discuss the significance of the encounter between Moses and God at the burning bush as presented in the readings. How does this event illuminate the nature of God and humanity's response to the divine call?
4. Examine the connection between personal repentance and outward actions of love and justice as emphasized in the provided Lenten reflections. How do these sources suggest that one's inner spiritual life should manifest in the world?
5. Consider the theme of time and judgment as it appears in the readings, particularly in the parable of the fig tree and discussions of repentance. How do these sources encourage a thoughtful use of the present in light of future accountability?

Glossary of Key Terms

• Paschal Mystery: The central concept of Catholic faith referring to the passion, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ.
• Lent: A 40-day season of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving in the Christian liturgical calendar, preparing for Easter.
• Repentance: Sincere regret or remorse for one's sins, coupled with the intention to change one's behavior.
• Kingdom of God: The spiritual realm over which God reigns, both in heaven and on earth, often understood as a state of justice, peace, and love.
• Covenant: A solemn agreement or binding promise between God and humanity.
• Holy Ground: A place made sacred by the presence of God.
• Barren Fig Tree: In the Gospel parable, symbolizes a lack of spiritual fruit or good works.
• Grace: The free and unmerited favor of God, given especially through the sacraments.
• Judgment: The divine assessment of human actions and their eternal consequences.
• Mercy: Compassion or forgiveness shown towards someone whom it is within one's power to punish or harm.