Unless You Repent, You Will All Perish Just As They Did

Today, we are asked to reflect on the age-old question of human suffering. The subject is quite complex because there is a dichotomy in defining the cause of suffering. From a theological perspective, suffering and death result from a fallen world and personal sin. St. Paul unambiguously teaches this phenomenon: “For the wages of sin is death.”  

On the other hand, according to the prophet Ezekiel, there is the story of Job, who was referred to as one of the three most righteous mortals who ever lived. In Job’s story, there is a conversation between God and Satan, with the latter claiming Job’s faith and righteousness were only a response of gratitude for all his health and good fortune. In response, God permitted Job to be tested and to suffer, but Satan could not touch him. Because of his steadfastness during his trial, God rewarded him with restoring his bountifulness.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus attempts to shed some light on the subject by indicating that those not inflicted with suffering are no less sinners.” Those eighteen people who were killed when the tower at Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than everyone else who lived in Jerusalem? By no means!” 

Jesus’ statement corrected the common thought of that time that only personal sin was the cause of all suffering. In this way, he bridged our initial concerns that individual sin can cause personal suffering, such as in bad choices. However, those who do not make such choices will also experience suffering because they are sinners, much in the same way as those who are evil. To which Jesus says, “But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did!”

Jesus’ comments have helped define how we understand suffering in general. We no longer see people in hardship as a result only of their own doing; instead, suffering and death are caused by the fallen world in which we live. However, Jesus urges his listeners that suffering is not the ultimate punishment, but death is; therefore, repentance for everyone is necessary.  

The Gospel ends with a parable about a gardener who had a fig orchard and was challenged as to why the trees were not producing the fruit they were expected to bloom. The trees were barren for three years, and the owner threatened to cut them down as worthless. The gardener pleaded that cutting them down now was premature, and if after one year they were still barren, they would be done away with.

The parable reflects the meaning of Jesus’ words that if people refuse to repent, they, too, will be subject to the same end as the trees. During Lent, we should become aware of some things in light of the Gospel. We are all sinners, and the need to repent is apparent. Next, the ultimate punishment for our sins is death. Without repenting and returning to the Lord, our deaths will be without hope, and nothing can be worse than perishing outside a relationship with God.

Finally, we become aware of how tenuous life is, and our last day is unknown. God gives us the time to return to him. Just like the gardener who pleaded for more time for the tree to be fruitful, so does God give us the time to repent. What we should all fear the most is not death but a death that will lead us to eternal suffering.  

You can be sure that if you wish to be reconciled with God, he will give you time to repent and start producing good fruit. Then we will proclaim, “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?”