The first part of the Liturgy of the Word today contains wonder and consolation. God is a burning bush that never gets consumed. God is the great “I AM,” a name of mystery. God is kind and merciful. But then there is a turn and a warning in the Second Reading and the Gospel. “Whoever thinks he is standing secure should take care not to fall.” If you don’t bear fruit, you will be cut down and thrown away. How do we reconcile these ideas?
Perhaps the thrust is, “Do not take God for granted.” Yes, God is “slow to anger and abounding in kindness,” but God wants us to bear fruit and to be remembered through all generations. We are encouraged to go through a Lenten examination of our actions and attitudes. We ask God to guide us to the areas in need of repentance. Whether we can overcome our sinfulness or not, there are the sins that are obvious to us, but there are more subtle sins that need to be uncovered. What in our lives is damaging our relationships with God and others? Can we examine our day-to-day life for selfishness and inattentiveness?
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Vicki Klima
Vicki, a retired liturgist and parish administrator, is passionate about enriching Catholic worship. She authored
Participation of the Heart to help Catholics engage more deeply in the Mass. With a Master’s in Pastoral Liturgy, she has led workshops, written for liturgical publications, and continues to inspire through speaking, writing, and her love of music and theater.
