Third Sunday in Lent, Year C
In our reading, Moses was looking after his father-in-law’s sheep on the mountain of Horeb (God’s holy mountain). While there, Moses saw a burning bush which wasn’t being burned up. Moses wanted to get a closer look to see what was happening. God told him not to come any closer for it is holy ground. God told Moses he was going to send him to bring his suffering people out of Egypt to a wonderful place filled with milk and honey. Moses asked God what his name is. God said, “I am who I am!” Tell them that my name is “I Am”- and that I sent you to them. This is my name and this is how I want to be remembered forever.”
In our Gospel, Jesus was teaching the people and he told them that they need to change their sinful ways to have eternal life. He told them the parable of the fig tree. There was a man (God) who had a fig tree (you and me) in his garden which did not produce fruit. He told the gardener (Jesus) to cut it down because it hasn’t produced any fruit. The gardener wanted to give the tree another chance to grow fruit. He was going to nurture it with manure to help it grow and then cut it down in a year if it doesn’t produce fruit. He thought the tree deserved another chance.
Special Saint: St. Jonas and St. Barachisius – March 29th
King Sapor II of Persia reigned in the fourth century. He hated Christians and persecuted them cruelly. He destroyed their churches and monasteries.
Two monks name Jonas and Barachisius heard of these persecutions. They learned that many Christians had been put to death. They decided to go to help the Christians and to encourage them to remain faithful to Jesus.
They knew that they might be captured, too. Their hearts were too full of the love of others to worry about their own safety.
After about two months, they were also taken prisoner. Their choice was to continue to follow Jesus and be put to death or to worship the sun, the moon, fire, and water to live. They refused to worship anything or anyone except the one true God.
They suffered a lot but prayed remembering how Jesus had suffered for them. They were martyred in 327.
When we have some little pain, we can ask St. Jonas and St. Barachisius to help us offer it to Jesus. They will show us how to be brave and cheerful.