As I have reflected on the gospel for the Third Sunday of Lent, Lk 13:1-9, I have been reminded both of the concern and compassion of God for people and the indignation of God towards those who would misread the signs and lead the people astray.

Like the gardener in the story told by Jesus, God has immense patience with each one of us and desires that we come to the fullness of life in God to which we have been invited.   ‘Leave it one more year.....'   However, we are also warned, like those who came to Jesus with the story about the Galileans Pilate had killed, not to misinterpret events in such a way that they are little more than distortions of the truth.  ‘Unless you change your ways....'

This week as you take time to reflect on this gospel:

What events or occurrences have you misinterpreted or been content to receive misinterpreted from others?
Who are you being asked to treat with patience and compassion as the gardener did?
Talk to Jesus about them.
How are you being invited to respond at this time?