Luke 13
As of October 23, 2020, 9,862 COVID19 deaths have been reported in Canada. As of this third quarter of the year, the estimated population of Canada is 38,005,238. The death ratio of COVID19 to the total population is about 0.025949054. This means averagely 2.6 deaths per 10,000 people or 1 death per 3,847 due to COVID19. Since I don’t have anybody I know who died from COVID19, apparently, my Canadian acquaintances are less than 4,000. Moreover, I don’t even personally know any person in Canada who has contracted the virus during the pandemic. So far, at least 1 out of 200 got infected in Canada. Then, does it mean I know less than 200 people in this land?
This pandemic feels like a problem of somewhere else. Of course, I feel sorry for those who had lost their lives and their families. But, still, this pandemic doesn’t feel real.
Today in the gospel, however, Jesus asks, “Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were worse sinner than all other Galileans?” Do I consider myself good and virtuous because I am spared from disasters? The Lord may call us from this life at any time. If I don’t feel real even if I see people are unexpectedly leaving this world, I must have been in a spiritual slumber. I must have a false sense of security. Life is fragile. My judgment day can arrive at an hour I don’t expect. Then, I have to settle an account with the Lord. Am I ready for it? Christ warns us: “Unless you repent, you will all perish just they did.”
We are still here in the world because the Lord is patient with us. He grants us time to repent our sins, purify our hearts and build virtues. The Son of God asks his Father in heaven, “Let it alone for one more year, until I dig around it and put manure on it.”
But we don’t live forever. The Lord gives me today for bearing fruit and preparing for the life to come. Christ makes it clear. “If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.”
