Homily on Luke 13:1-9 Repentance: God’s Second Chance   

Homily on Luke 13:1-9 Repentance: God’s Second Chance   (Sunday the 23^rd of March 2025)

Praise be to Jesus Christ

A husband and wife had many disagreements. Day by day, their love turned into arguments, and their home became a battlefield. Finally, they decided to separate. They thought, “There is no question of living together anymore.” But before making the final decision, a friend suggested that they meet a Catholic priest. Though hesitant, they agreed. They sat together, spoke from their hearts, and listened to the priest’s advice. That conversation changed everything. They realised that their marriage was not beyond hope. They saw their own faults instead of blaming each other. They repented over their past disagreements and made a decision that whatever problems come, they will solve them on the same day. Years have passed, and now they are living a happy married life with five children. The chance they took saved their family.

This real life story reminds us of the Gospel passage of our reflection today, where Jesus speaks about repentance. Some people came to Him with news of a terrible tragedy. They thought that those who had died in Siloam by the collapse of the tower were worse sinners than others. Jesus did not want them to think this way. He told them clearly, “Unless you repent, you will all perish just as they did.” He did not agree with the way they compare themselves with others. Instead, He directed them to look into their own hearts and lives.

Repentance is not about saying, “I am better than others.” It is about recognising that I need to change. It is about understanding that God is giving me another chance. Like the fig tree in the parable, I am , what I am, today only because of God’s mercy. I may not have borne fruit in my life. I may have failed many times. But God, like the patient gardener, is giving me one more chance.

Just like the couple in the story, repentance requires humility. They could have continued blaming each other. But they chose to listen, reflect, and change. This is what God calls us to do. Repentance is not only about avoiding sin. It is about bearing fruit. A tree that does not bear fruit is of no use. My life should bear the fruits of love, kindness, and goodness. That is true repentance.

When we look at the lives of saints, we see that true repentance brings change. There was once a man who persecuted Christians. He thought he was right. But when he encountered Jesus, he repented. He did not say, “I am better than others.” He changed his life completely. That man became one of the greatest apostles. He became Saint Paul.

One day, my time on earth will come to an end. God is giving me today. God is giving me now. This is my chance. Will I still delay? Will I still say, “I am better than others”? Or will I truly repent and bear fruit? Let me not waste the chance that God is giving me. Because His mercy is great. But time does not wait.

Let us ask God for a heart that truly repents. Let us not compare ourselves with others. Let us bear fruit while we still have time. The gardener is still waiting. The chance is still here. Let us not waste it.

Let us pray: Lord help me to use my time properly and bear fruit as You expect. Amen.

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God Bless