The repentance called for during Lent is not simply turning away from sin but turning towards God. But to turn to God we need "take off our shoes" as Moses had to do on the sacred space on Mt Sinai. The symbol of the burning bush which is not burnt speaks loudly of God's presence which never fades. Moses was not in search of God; it was God who was in search of him. Yet Moses had difficulty what to say to those who might ask him about his God. The strength of our belief stands or falls with our perception of God. Our faith often risks foundering; there is too much around us that make us feel some resentment towards a God of justice and mercy. In the Gospel the same difficulty is brought out in the imagery of the fig-tree bearing no fruit. The world demands explanations we cannot give, yet the reason for our belief, if deepened, can shed a light and lead to some understanding. The significance of the parable of the fig tree is that action has to follow words; we have to find out how our faith is affected by the spiritual misery around us and how our faith is affecting that misery.The Gospel today invites us not to opt for superficial explanations or solutions; we cannot dismiss lightly the spiritual perplexity that evil and suffering provoke. But we need the courage and freedom to remain open to revisions in our thinking of God. (Ideas by Father Rene Camilleri of Malta for this Sunday)
