Year C March 7 Luke 13:1-9

Luke 13:1-9

"No, I tell you; that unless you repent, you will perish just as they did." (6)

"'Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I did around it and put manure on it." (9)


Context:
Luke's Gospel includes a significant section on judgement that comes to its conclusion in these verses. Beginning at 12:1 we find a section that includes a warning hypocrisy, exhortation to owning God before others, the parable of the rich fool and two parables about judgement on sleepy or unfaithful slaves. It is in the context of this theme that Jesus is asked about an incident that was fresh in the minds of some of the locals.

Comment:
After the disaster that befell Haiti Pat Robertson made headlines by speaking of it as God's judgement on Haiti. While his remarks may have been slightly misinterpreted the basic idea that these poor and vulnerable people were somehow the victims of God's wrath because of the sins of their forebears is reprehensible. It was with this background that a audio sermon provided good listening ("What would Jesus answer CNN?"). Luke 13:1-9 was the chosen text. While it is clear that the sins of the parents ARE visited upon the children it does not happen in the way that Pat Robertson suggested, but that is another issue.

"Shit happens!" Now this is not a 'holy expression', but it is true. Bad things happen to good people. Good people die because of random events. Good people are traumatised when things go badly wrong. Good people are caused long term suffering because 'shit happens'. Of course, whatever happens to good people also happens to bad people.

It seems that in Israel Pilate killed some Galileans around the time of a sacrifice. Why? We don't know. It certainly fits with Pilate's profile, yet there is no record of this specific event in the annals of history. Today lots of violent acts take place that don't make our newspapers or get plastered over our TV screens. We should not be surprised that things slipped past the historians of 2000 years ago.

There was also an accident that happened at Siloam. A building collapsed and eighteen people died. The Pool of Siloam was a place of healing. Among the eighteen we would not be surprised to find vulnerable people or their carers. Accidents happen and innocent people suffer.

So how are we to respond?

Jesus response pointed to ultimate judgement. Unlike Pat Robertson he did not blame the victims what happened to them, but called for all his hearers to repent before judgement comes. Whether we are saints or sinners it will come.

The parable that follows adds some perspective to the discussion. The fruitless fig tree is under judgement from the landowner. Becasue of the please of the gardener a reprieve is granted. With this parable Jesus offers no interpretation. The parable just hangs at the end of the dialogue. We are left to make our own connections.

Now the fig tree is often used in allegories to represent Israel but that does not have to be the case here. We are simply reminded that judgment is coming - and fruitfulness is required.

We do well to consider our own lives, and the good stuff that comes from them, rather than cast judgement on others. In due course, God will do that. For it is best to encourage fruitfulness in others and to work for it in our own lives.

Other readings:
Isaiah 55:1-9
Psalm 63:1-8
1 Cor 10:1-13