THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT — Year C
Gospel: Luke 13, 1-9
A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke.
At that time, people were present who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. Jesus said in reply: “Do you think that these Galileans were the greatest sinners in Galilee just because they suffered this? By no means! But I tell you, you will all come to the same end unless you reform. Or take those eighteen who were killed by a falling tower in Siloam. Do you think they were more guilty than anyone else who has lived in Jerusalem? Certainly not! But I tell you, you will all come to the same end unless you reform.”
Jesus spoke this parable: “There was a fig tree growing in a vineyard. The owner came out looking for fruit on it but did not find any. The owner said to the vinedresser, ‘Look here! For three years now I have come out in search of fruit on this fig tree and found none. Cut it down. Why should it clutter up the ground?’ In answer, the vinedresser said, ‘Leave it another year while I hoe around it and manure it; then perhaps it will bear fruit. If not, it shall be cut down.’ ”
The Good News as spoken through Luke.