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Lectionary Reflection
Year C, Lent 3
Revised Common Lectionary
Gospel
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Luke 13:1-9
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There
were some present who told Jesus about the Galileans whose
blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. He asked
them, "Do you think that because these Galileans suffered
in this way they were worse sinners than all other Galileans?
No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish
as they did. Or those eighteen who were killed when the
tower of Siloam fell on them--do you think that they were
worse offenders than all the others living in Jerusalem?
No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish
just as they did."
Then he told this parable: "A man
had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came looking
for fruit on it and found none. So he said to the gardener,
'See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit
on this fig tree, and still I find none. Cut it down! Why
should it be wasting the soil?' He replied, 'Sir, let it
alone for one more year, until I dig around it and put manure
on it. If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if
not, you can cut it down.'"
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Reflection on
Luke 13:1-9
by Nelson Thomas
In this reading from Luke we have two parables. First,
where the Galileans regardless of the level of sin all will persist,
"No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish
just as they did." The second parable is where a farmer went
to cut down a fig tree because it was not bearing fruit. Where as
the gardener replied, Sir, let it alone for one more year, until
I dig around it and put manure on it. If it bears fruit next year,
well and good; but if not, you can cut it down." This is a
case where regardless of the degree of our assault on Gods' creation
we have sinned. We need to begin actions to which were we begin
to amend our ways of wasteful living. Learn and practice at first,
simple ways to conserve our gifts.
In the second parable we need to take the next step
by spreading the message of conserving God's creation. As we go
about helping others get started and/or supporting in practices
leading to sustainability, it is liken to putting manure on the
fig tree. The support is in Christ's message to us; all of us need
help especially in the area of protecting the environment. As it
is destroyed, parts of all of us are destroyed and in most cases
there is no going back. God's Creation and we have perished. But
"God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond
your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way
out so that you may be able to endure it." So as we use Jesus'
message to fertilize our efforts to protect, conserve, educate,
support, advocate and learn, we know that God is not testing us
beyond our limits. Let's hope it is not beyond the limits of the
environment. We must acknowledge change that God has planned versus
changes caused by humankind and increase our efforts to lead us
to sustainability of God's Creation.
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To Reflections on other RCL and Standard (Episcopal)
Lectionary Readings for Year C, Epiphany 6:
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Nelson
Thomas, one of the original founders of MEESC, past Co-Chair
(1995-1999) and Treasurer, was a member of St. Paul's Episcopal
Church, Duluth, MN, when he wrote this reflection in 2007.
Wanda and we welcome your comments. Please address your comments
or additional reflections to Nelson
Thomas or any MEESC
member, or mail them to:
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MEESC
c/o C. Morello
4451 Lakeside Drive
Eveleth, MN 55743-4400 USA |
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The MEESC assumes
that all correspondence received is for publication on this
web site. If your comments are not for publication, please
so note on your correspondence. The MEESC reserves the right
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This page last updated 2007-01-15.
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