Readings for March 22-23, Third Sunday of Lent
By Fr. Jack Treloar | For On Mission
The reading from Exodus this week sets the tone for the parable that Jesus tells at the very end of the assigned Gospel reading. These two readings tell us several things about God which explains aspects of our relationship with God.
In Exodus, we have the story of the burning bush and Moses’ encounter with God. Here God introduces himself to Moses by telling Moses some things about himself.
One learns about the overwhelming holiness of God when he tells Moses to remove his sandals for Moses is standing on ground made holy by God’s presence.
Then God introduces himself to Moses, saying, “I am the God of your fathers … the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob.”
After the introduction, God informs Moses of his plan. He knows the people are suffering a terrible experience of slavery. He has come to rescue them from the Egyptians. When Moses asks what he is to tell the people, God gives Moses his own name as assurance that he will save them.
We have learned of the unfathomable holiness of God, we have discovered that he is the same God worshiped by their patriarchs, we have been told of his plan to rescue his people and we have learned his name, “I Am.” This short passage gives us essentials of our faith.
When one turns to the Gospel for the day, we learn some more about the God who met Moses in the desert.
When people suffer such events as murder by an occupying tyranny led by Pilate, or an accidental collapse of a tower, it is not because they were more evil than others. These things happened because of circumstances beyond their control.
People must realize that God requires repentance for acts they personally commit. If they deliberately violate God’s laws of their own free will, then God requires the submission of repentance.
Finally, Jesus’ parable shows us a God who is willing to forgive, even if there has been unfruitfulness in the past. In other words, God forgives those who are genuinely trying to live good and fruitful lives.
Taking these two readings together, we learn many things about our God and our relationship to God. The readings give us a picture of a God who wants to be with us and care for us. God sets boundaries for our behavior. God rejects all forms of enslavement and idolatry. We should take consolation from the fact that he shares his holiness with us and has even given us his name.
As we continue our Lenten observances, the Church invites us to contemplate a vision of a God overwhelmingly holy, who cares, provides good and helps us grow in fruitfulness as we progress toward Easter.
Our Lent, then, helps us to discover God just as Moses discovered God in the desert.
Fr. Treloar is an assistant director at Jesuit Retreat House in Oshkosh and has served as a professor, lecturer, author and academic administrator. The readings for Sunday, March 23, can be found at Third Sunday of Lent | USCCB.