Change Your Mind

A Reflection on the Gospel for March 20th, 2022:
Third Sunday of Lent

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Luke
13.1-9

Jesus was teaching the crowds; some of those present told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.

Jesus asked them, “Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were worse sinners than all other Galileans? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as they did. Or those eighteen who were killed when the tower of Siloam fell on them — do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others living in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish just as they did.”

Then Jesus told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and found none. So he said to the gardener, ‘See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none. Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?’

“The gardener replied, ‘Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig around it and put manure on it. If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’”
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What does the word “repent” conjure up in your mind? I’m guessing for most people it causes feelings of anxiety and shame. 

“What have I done that I need to repent of?” 
“How is God displeased with me?” 
“How have I let someone down?”


The Merriam-Webster dictionary has a few definitions cited for the word “repent”, but the one that caught my eye was this: 

re·​pent | \ ri-ˈpent : to change one's mind


In this gospel from Luke, Jesus seems to be reading the hearts of those questioning Him: “Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were worse sinners than all other Galileans?”

“No,” He tells them, “but unless you repent (change your mind), you will all perish as they did” (Luke 13:2-3).
 

How easy (or difficult) is it to change your mind? I’ve always been a fairly easy going person. If I make a decision and it doesn’t work out to be the best one, then I usually don’t mind pivoting. But sometimes I dig my heels in and am unwilling to be flexible. At times, this is because I truly believe in the decision I’ve made. Other times it’s because I don’t want to be wrong. Sometimes, it’s because I don’t want someone else to be right. Regardless, changing my mind can be hard to do. 
 

Jesus also tells them a parable about a fig tree that isn’t bearing fruit. The owner wants to cut it down but the gardener intercedes and convinces the owner to give the tree another chance. 
 

How is Jesus speaking to you through this gospel passage? How is He asking you to change your mind? I think He’s reminding us that it's easy to make a judgement about someone without knowing the whole truth. The “Galileans” that we encounter every day may be no worse sinners than we are, but because of life’s circumstances we may judge them as such. We all have our vices. We all have things that keep us from growing in holiness and from bearing fruit. 
 

We all need God’s mercy. 
 

​As Christian brothers and sisters we have the choice to intercede for one another, or to cut each other down. Change your mind about someone this week. Give them an opportunity to receive the love and mercy of God through you. Be a beacon of hope and not of discouragement. Build up instead of cutting down — all because that’s what Jesus does for you.




​Maxine Brown
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