SATURDAY- 29^th  WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME –A

Gospel: Luke 13:1-9: Unless you repent you will all perish as they did.

I Reading: Ephesians 4:7-16: Christ is the head by whom the whole body grows.

The Truth about Suffering and Sin:

The Great Need for All to Repent, Lk 13:1-9

Why do people suffer? Most people think their suffering is due to some great sin they have committed and that God is punishing them because they have been such great sinners. But Christ gave the new and true meaning to suffering in life.

1. Men do don’t suffer because they are greater sinners than others (v.1-5)

a. Event 1: The latest news of a horrible murderous event

          1) did not suffer because they were great sinners

          2) all must repent or perish

b. Event 2: The latest news of a terrible tragedy

          1) did not suffer because they were great sinners

          2) all must repent or perish

2. Men must bear fruit or else they will perish (v.6-9)

a. The fig tree’s privilege: in the vineyard

b. The fig tree’s purpose: to bear fruit

c. The day for reaping came

          1) found no fruit

          2) found that the tree was using up space on the ground and producing nothing

d. The mercy of God

          1) gave another chance

          2) fertilized and fed

e. The judgement was based on fruit

Thought: Suffering is not always due to greater sins but a mystery.

(Mt 7:4; Acts 28:4; 1Cor 1:3-11; Rom 3:1-18; Gal 5:19-21)

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