We have three very interesting readings today which deal with different aspects of God.

The first reading shows us God’s revelation of himself to the Jews as a God who is utterly different from the pagan idea of God (or, for that matter, the Buddhist or Hindu idea of God).  Bishop Barron explains this eloquently in his commentary on Why the Burning Bush is Such Good News.

The Gospel reading presents one of the ‘hard sayings’ of Jesus and discusses the question of whether the evils that befall men are punishments for sin.  Jesus is telling us that we all need a metanoia (change of heart) as – get this –none of us is worthy to stand in the presence of God.  Brant Pitre discusses this here:

And the second reading continues the theme of non-complacency: “the man who thinks he is safe must be careful that he does not fall.”  How different from our usual thinking: “I’m all right, you’re all right.”  If only we had a greater consciousness of the absolute goodness, otherness and power of God, we would have more holy fear or fear of the Lord, something that is regarded by many as weakness, when it is actually wisdom.  My old school motto (St Cyprian’s, Cape Town) was Sapientiae Timor Domini Initium or The Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Wisdom.  Who are we to tell God that he has no right to judge us?

Today’s readings:

Word format: Year C Lent 2nd Sunday 2016

Pdf format:Year C Lent 3rd Sunday 2016