3rd Sunday of Lent Year C
‘My eyes are always on the Lord, for he rescues me’
O God, author of every mercy and of all goodness,
who in fasting, prayer and almsgiving
have shown us a remedy for sin,
look graciously on this confession of our lowliness,
that we, who are bowed down by our conscience,
may always be lifted up by your mercy.
The Hebrew slaves in Egypt have forgotten the Lord’s goodness to them. But Moses, going about his ordinary business, is attentive enough to notice the Lord drawing near and willing enough to ‘go forward to look’, when he is called (First Reading). He is then sent by God to remind the people of Israel that the Lord is compassion and love (Psalm).
St Paul uses this Exodus story as the basis for his homily (Second Reading) to the church community based at Corinth. Corinth is a bustling, cosmopolitan city with a reputation for indulgence and temples aplenty, but Paul isn’t intimidated and makes it his headquarters for the mission to the west. However, it does explain the stern tone of his letter.
Jesus, too, gives us a warning in today’s Gospel. He calls us to repent, telling us that God desires that we bear fruit, promising us every opportunity to work with his grace.
In the coming days, let’s listen to the Lord who is faithful in both word and name (‘I Am’) as the One who acts in our lives.
