Figs Anyone ~ Third Sunday of Lent 2013

The people in the Gospel today are wondering if the Galileans who were killed by Pilate had died because they deserved to. We can empathise with them as we know too well of accidents and tragedies of all kinds where we might ask the same question. Jesus insists that they have not done anything wrong. Their sudden death challenges those still alive to live to the full and to bear much fruit because life can end suddenly, life is fragile, no one is indestructible. The Galileans died because of Pilate, but the greater ‘sin’ here becomes inactivity. Jesus is calling us to action.


The image of the fruitless tree is a call to take a look at our lives and allow our comfortable lives be disturbed by the Gospel message. When the man comes looking for fruit on the fig tree what will he find? The call to follow Jesus is not an easy one. We need to look at ways to bring peace, hope, love, and justice into our communities every day. We use the gift of Lent as an opportunity to identify areas where we can produce more fruit. How are we living? What can we do to make the changes during this Lenten season and beyond?

Something Different For Lent 3

Third Sunday of Lent ~ 11th March 2012

“Making a whip out of some cord, he drove them all out of the Temple…knocked their tables over and said…“stop turning my Father’s house into a market” (John 2:16)

This week we are asking people in the parish to think about solidarity. How can we be in solidarity with the poor, with the oppressed in society, with those who have not? This is week three of your retreat. Can you add a symbol to your sacred space this week to remind yourself of solidarity with the poor? Give yourself time each day this week to reflect, 5, 10, 15 minutes – whatever you can manage.

Prayer suggestions for this week:
1. Breathing exercises: As you have been doing for the past two weeks, focusing on your breathing: take three deep slow breaths, then focus on your normal breathing. Do this for as long as you can. This is the breath of life. Thank God for this gift. Repeat the following:
“Be.
Be Still.
Be still and know.
Be still and know that I am God”
(Psalm 46:10)

2. Gospel reflection: John 2:13-22 “Jesus Cleanses the Temple”.

Read this text 2-3 times. Pick a word/phrase that stands out for you. Repeat that word or phrase to yourself. Why is it significant for you?

Some thoughts on the text:
• Jesus is angry in today’s Gospel: He “scattered the money changers’ coins and knocked over their tables.” What makes you angry? Why?
• We may be surprised at Jesus’ reaction in this Gospel. Surely anger is not a good thing. But neither is indifference when we see things that

are not right.
• What should we be angry about? What injustices do we see around us? In our communities? In our country? In our world?
• What can we do about these injustices? How can we be in solidarity with those who are oppressed, who are poor, who have no voice?
• Situate this story in the context of Lent.

Suggestions for the Week: Trocaire ~ Focus on Uganda

Poverty has many stories and many faces. Christ asks us to be models of solidarity and love. We must act for justice and peace in whatever way we can. But sometimes it appears to be so difficult. How can we live in solidarity with others? Here are some suggestions for this week, for the rest of Lent and beyond!

• Pray for those suffering from poverty, hunger, oppression…
• Support Trocaire through donations if you can.
• Read the information from Trocaire this week: it’s not all about giving money, we need to be AWARE of the situations which affect people. For example: who is the child on the Trocaire box? What is his story?
• Act: there are many ways to support campaigns which affect people in so-called developing countries. See below for details on Trocaire’s action.

Live Lent: welcome Daniel and the people of Northern Uganda into your home this week. How? Well you can start here:

Daniel is the boy on the Trocaire box. He is 9 years old and lives with his

mother Betty, his father Joel and his brothers and sisters in the small rural village of Bar Kwach in Northern Uganda. Daniel was born into civil war. In 2004 soldiers attacked his village, forcing the family to flee. 300 people from his village died in the attack. The family moved to a camp where extreme poverty, poor sanitation and depression were rife. In 2006, when it was safe to do so, Daniel and his family moved back to their home and this is where their biggest struggle began – to begin life again.

Trocaire are working with local partners to better the lives of people in Daniel’s community. This work is the embodiment of Christ on earth today and the true meaning of communion. As the Eucharistic Congress approaches we are asked to be in “communion with Christ and with one another”. This means action for the poorest of our own communities and the world.

Action: Part of Trocaire’s campaign this year is to send an email/letter to your local TD asking them to prioritise small scale farmers in Uganda. You can join the online campaign here:

Thoughts for the Week:
“But it is not God’s will for some to have everything and others to have nothing. That cannot be of God. God’s will is that all his children be happy” (Oscar Romero)

“Anyone who ignores the poor ignores Christ” (St. Francis of Assisi)