Repentance: a Christian identity

Complaining is one of the most common ways to denounce all kinds of injustice in our time. People complain about almost everything. Statements are often made to condemn this or that kind of injustice against us, or our families or relatives. Many of us get irritated and even upset enough to call for vengeance, violence against our enemies or oppressors when God's response, his doing justice for us, seems to be delayed. Today's readings remind us that history is full of the negative results of violence. This always brings more problems into our lives than it solves, and often complicates our future. Disinterest is another option used by some Christians, who remain closed in their small world, fearful of getting involved in the dramatic problems of our neighbours and even our country. They only involve themselves when they realise that the problems may hurt their interests.

Today's first reading shows how Moses had impulsively defended the weak and oppressed people of Israel in Egypt, using violence But this had terrible consequences for him: he had to abandon his privileged social position and flee. Now, in the desert, Moses discovers the true face of the Lord. "I have heard the crying of my people in Egypt and I have decided to set them free". From now on Moses will return to Egypt without vengeance, but with the power of God.

The flame blazing from the middle of the bush is symbolic of the difficult mission Moses has to accomplish. Moses looked; there was the bush blazing, but the bush was not being burnt up. The call of God will never burn up in us until we try to accomplish his mission. God knows our problems. He is against any kind of oppression. For this reason he is always ready to free the weak, those who cry for his help. His name has never changed: "I am he who is " (Ex 3: 1-8a, 14). God is ready to protect anyone who suffers injustice and any kind of oppression. Thus, do not hesitate to call him. On the other hand, we must bear in mind that the blessings we receive from God do not automatically produce results. It is not enough just to believe in Jesus (the new Moses), to be baptised and to receive the Eucharist. God wants us to carry out a coherent life, not to lose ourselves in the desert. The disasters happening in our time (earthquakes in Chile, Haiti, wars and diseases) have to be understood as a call to repentance, instead of solely depending on human reason to search for their causes. Oppressive structures, such as those used by Pilate in the time of Jesus are still solid with deep roots in our time. Some people believe that violence is the best and the quickest way to establish justice in our world. That is an illusion. Jesus has taught us that violence has never solved problems, only increased them.

The call of Jesus to repentance is an invitation to change our way of thinking. The Jews cultivated in their hearts violence and vengeance against their oppressors. But Jesus says these are not God's perspectives. What Jesus suggests we do is not to try to escape problems but to find different solutions. We need a new heart to radically change the root of evil. Only people with a new heart can build a new world.

Jesus presents God as merciful and patient, who knows our weaknesses. This is why the fig tree (which means each one of us) planted in his vineyard has one more year to produce the expected fruits. Lent is a time of grace. Let us say together "Good and merciful is the Lord. He forgives all sins and cures all sickness".

JosÈ Paulo OP

Denis Geraghty OP