The God Who Stays

Third Sunday of Lent Year C

First Reading: Exodus 3:1-8a, 13-15

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 103: 1-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8, 11.

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 10:1-6, 10-12

Gosple: Luke 13:1-9

Dear brothers and sisters, we find ourselves on the Third Sunday of Lent, continuing to move forward on this Lenten journey. Today, the readings guide us through profound moments of revelation, warning, and mercy in our journey of faith.

In the first reading, we hear the story of Moses encountering God in the burning bush. God reveals Himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and declares His intention to deliver His people from slavery in Egypt. God’s name, "I AM WHO AM," reminds us that He is eternal, faithful, and always present in our lives.

In the second reading, St. Paul reflects on the journey of the Israelites through the desert. He reminds the Corinthians that, despite experiencing God’s guidance and blessings, many of the Israelites fell into sin and were lost. Paul urges us to take this as a lesson and remain vigilant in faith, relying on God’s grace rather than our own strength.

Finally, in today´s Gospel, Jesus responds to questions about suffering and judgment. He calls the people to repentance and tells the parable of the barren fig tree, emphasizing God’s patience and mercy, but also the urgency of conversion.

So today, we have got a pretty interesting Gospel from Luke: the parable about the fig tree that was not producing any fruit. A man plants a fig tree in his orchard, expecting it to grow and give him some good figs. But year after year… nothing. Not a single fig. He is fed up and tells the gardener, “Cut it down! Why should it take up space?” But the gardener says, “Hold on, let me take care of it a little more. I will dig around it, put some fertilizer, and let us give it another year. If it bears fruit, great! If not, then we will cut it down.”

The fig tree is us. Sometimes, we’re not exactly “producing fruit” in our lives. Maybe we’re stuck in bad habits, struggling with faith, or just kind of… spiritually asleep. And maybe we fear that God is going to give up on us. But here’s the amazing part, God doesn’t work that way. The gardener (representing Jesus) steps in and says, “Let me work with them. Let me nourish them. Let’s give them more time.”

This is about God’s patience. He’s not quick to judge or punish. He gives us time, care, and second chances. That’s how God’s mercy works. He’s invested in us, He wants us to grow and bear fruit.

Now, let’s connect this with the revelation of God’s name: “I am who am” (Exodus 3:14). When God tells Moses His name, He’s saying, “I’m not going anywhere. I’m constant. I’m always here.” That’s exactly the attitude of the gardener in the parable. God is saying, “I’m not giving up on you. I’m going to keep working on you because I’m not a God who abandons. I’m a God who stays.”

We live in a world where people give up on each other all the time. Friendships fall apart, relationships break down, and sometimes we even give up on ourselves. But God? He’s steady. He’s not going anywhere. Even when we’re not producing fruit, even when we’re at our lowest, He’s still right there, digging around our roots, pouring in His grace, helping us grow.

So, what is our role? Here is the thing, God is patient, but He’s also calling us to respond. The tree has to grow eventually. God’s mercy isn’t an excuse to stay stuck, it’s an invitation to grow.

• Maybe growing means letting go of resentment.

• Maybe it means starting to pray more consistently.

• Maybe it’s reaching out to someone you’ve hurt or forgiving someone who hurt you.

  
  

God isn’t asking for perfection, just growth. He’s giving you the time and the grace to change. But you have to be willing to let Him work in you.

So, let’s take this to heart: God is the one who says, “I Am.” He’s not going anywhere. He’s patient, merciful, and full of grace. But He’s also calling you to respond, to start producing fruit in your life. Don’t be afraid to let Him work on you, even if it feels uncomfortable. Trust that He’s not going to give up on you because He’s the God who simply is. May God bless you and help us to continue on our journey toward Easter.