Gospel Reflection 2021/2022

A tragedy is an extremely depressing, distressing and traumatic event. It is also known as a disaster, calamity, catastrophe, or devastation. While many blame tragedies on God, there are generally three (3) types of tragedy in this world:

(1) The human tragedy due to THE SIN AND EVIL OF HUMAN PERSONS.

The Galileans, as told by the Gospel reading, came to the Temple to offer prayers and sacrifices to God. Yet, Pilate, the governor of that time, had them slaughtered in God’s Holy Temple, profaned the sacrifices offered on the altar with human blood and desecrated the holy place. [cf. Lk 13: 1]

In our time, the sin and evil of human persons continue to thrive and plague the world. Since the Russian armed aggression in Ukraine on 24 Feb 2022 [Source: Al Jazeera, 17 Mar 2022]:

• 816 civilians were killed,

• 3.1 million Ukrainians have fled the country,

• and 2 million Ukrainians were internally displaced.

Even Pope Francis lamented that, “In Ukraine, rivers of blood and tears are flowing… in a war which sows death, destruction and misery.”

And, Jesus is reminding us that the slaughtered Galileans and these suffering Ukrainians are no greater sinners than you and me.

(2) The natural tragedy due to NATURAL CAUSES.

The universe is created in perfect harmony and sustained by God’s Wisdom (Law). The universe needs God’s Wisdom because without it, there would be no balance – only chaos. The laws of nature, the laws of sciences, the laws of physics… give us a tiny peep into God’s immense Wisdom.

In response to the people’s questioning about the slaughter of the Galileans in the Temple, Jesus pointed out another separate tragedy: the tower at Siloam that had collapsed and killed eighteen people – a tragedy due to natural causes. [cf. Lk 13: 4]

Tragedies – such as volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, tsunamis and other natural calamities – do happen sometimes due to natural causes. And as of 18 Mar 2022, 6.07 million people have perished because of COVID-19 pandemic. In Malaysia alone, 34,185 people have died. Every one of them has a name and a face and a story. Every one of them is created in the image and likeness of God.

Again, Jesus is reminding us that none of them are more guilty than you and me who are still alive.

(3) The greatest tragedy caused by ETERNAL SEPARATION FROM GOD in hell.

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI beautifully explains that, “In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus is questioned on certain distressing events. In the face of the easy conclusion of considering evil as an effect of divine punishment, Jesus restores THE TRUE IMAGE OF GOD WHO IS GOOD AND CANNOT DESIRE EVIL. Jesus asks us to interpret those events differently, putting them in the perspective of conversion: misfortunes, sorrowful events must not awaken curiosity in us or the quest for presumed sins: instead they must be opportunities for reflection, in order to overcome the illusion of being able to live without God, and to reinforce, with the Lord’s help, the commitment to change our way of life.”

Indeed, God is good and cannot desire evil. Tragedies can happen due to our human sin and evil, as well as due to natural causes – God is not a sadist; and He does not delight in human pains and sufferings.

Tragedies that happen to us and around us are opportunities for profound reflection, genuine repentance and continuous conversion. We must not be distracted, depressed, distressed and disillusioned by human tragedy or natural tragedy.

Instead, we must fear the greatest tragedy of all: THE ETERNAL SEPARATION FROM GOD in hell. That is what Jesus is warning us [Lk 13: 5], “Unless you repent you will all perish as they did!”

“Leave it for another year…” [Lk 13: 8]

“Leave it (the barren fig tree) for another year and give me time to dig round it and manure it: it may bear fruit next year; if not, then you can cut it down.” [Lk 13: 8-9]

Our Lord Jesus is extremely patient with us: He gives us AMPLE time, PERSONAL care (digging) and ABUNDANT graces (fertilizers). The choice is ours: whether or not to remain in Jesus and bear the fruits of repentance and conversion.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church [CCC 1033] teaches that, “… This state of definitive SELF-EXCLUSION from communion with God and the blessed is called ‘HELL’.” Every time when we choose to live without God and refuse to change our crooked ways, we are choosing hell over God! And yes, that is the greatest tragedy of all.

Let our fervent prayer be:

“Lord Jesus Christ, NEVER permit me to be separated from You.”

Let us also pray with and pray for Ukraine that:

“The weapons of war be silenced, the evil of the aggressors be stopped, and those who hold the fate of the world in their hands may spare us from the horror and madness of war.”