Reflection for February 25 Wednesday of the First Week in Lent: Luke 11:29-32

Gospel: Luke 11:29-32

While still more people gathered in the crowd, Jesus said to them, “This generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it, except the sign of Jonah. Just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so will the Son of Man be to this generation.  

At the judgment the queen of the south will rise with the men of this generation and she will condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and there is something greater than Solomon here. At the judgment the men of Nineveh will arise with this generation and condemn it, because at the preaching of Jonah they repented, and there is something greater than Jonah here.”

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Reflection:

Can we still remember the thief beside Jesus who asked Him to remember him when He came into His kingdom? In his final moments, the thief humbly turned to Jesus in repentance, and the Lord granted him the gift of salvation on the spot (Luke 23:42–43). This beautiful moment reminds us that it is never too late for us to return to God when we sincerely repent.

Jesus continues to call all of us to repentance every moment of our lives. His gentle voice invites us to turn away from sin and come back to Him. Let us not be deaf to this call. Instead, let us listen with open hearts, follow Him with trust, and embrace His invitation with humility.

What is sin that many of us still find so difficult to leave behind? What does it really give us? Does sin truly bring us the fulfillment that makes us continue to hold on to it? Whatever pleasure sin offers us is only temporary; in reality, it is a curse coated with pleasure.

For example, the sin of adultery may appear pleasurable and exciting at first. Yet we may unknowingly walk into Satan’s trap, which blinds us to the consequences of our actions until the truth is eventually revealed. While we may enjoy temporary pleasure and excitement, sins and problems slowly begin to pile up. In time, they can destroy not only us but also the people we love and the relationships we hold dear.

Why should we wait to be destroyed by sin when Jesus is always offering us repentance? He is ever ready to forgive and forget our past sins, provided that we leave them behind and sincerely walk away from them. His mercy is always available to those who humbly return to Him.

A reward awaits us the moment we listen to Jesus’ call to repentance. It is like the gift of salvation that He gave to the repentant thief on the cross. It may not always be instant salvation, but there will certainly be blessings when we decide to leave our sinful ways — blessings such as peace of mind, harmony in our families, and a life free from the burden of guilt.

Jesus is calling us once again to repentance, just as He welcomed the repentant thief on the cross. Will we continue to hold on to the sins that slowly destroy us, or will we turn to Jesus now and allow His mercy to transform our lives while there is still time? —Marino J. Dasmarinas