Daily Gospel Reflection for March 23, 2025: Third Sunday of Lent

Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.

Today's Gospel: Luke 13:1-9

In today’s Gospel, we hear about suffering, repentance, and bearing fruit. To an outsider, these three things may seem to have nothing in common, but for us disciples, we learn an important lesson about living the Christian life.

The passage begins with Jesus commentating on current events, both the slaughtering of Galileans at the hand of Pilate and the death of eighteen when a tower collapsed. Jesus assures His followers that those who died were not worse sinners or in any way deserving of that fate; however, these tragedies do allow those still living to remember that whether it be natural causes, an accident, or as a result of an egregious sin of another, judgment day is coming for all of us.

Suffering can wake us up to our need to repent, and this is one of the good things that God can manifest from tragedies. So long as we still have breath, we have a chance to repent and be united to Christ.

The way we know we have truly repented is by the fruit we bear. Jesus, the good and gracious gardener, will cultivate and fertilize us, but in the end, we are responsible for bearing fruit. As we approach the halfway point of this Lent, take a moment today and really reflect on where Christ is calling you to repent and if you are bearing the fruit that is asked of you. If not, today is the day to turn your heart and life back to Jesus, because tomorrow is not guaranteed.

Ponder:

Where in my life is Jesus calling me to repent and begin bearing good fruit?

Pray:

Lord, show me the areas of my life that need repentance, and let my heart truly detach from my sin.

Copyright 2025 Maria Riley