In life, all of us have had to deal with loss and tragedy to some extent.  Together, we have watched in horror as people suffer the effects of genocide, terrorism, school shootings, and war.  It is hard to watch the children of Gaza living in such horrendous conditions or the people of Ukraine being forced to defend their homeland from an invading army.   In times of tragedy and suffering people often ask why.  How can God allow such suffering?  
 
In our Gospel reading this weekend, Jesus responds to the news of a massacre of people in Galilee.  Jesus responds to the question of why such tragedies happen and makes it clear that God is not the cause suffering or pain.  Jesus also makes it clear that there is not a connection between tragedy and suffering with a person’s perceived sinfulness.   God does not inflict suffering or tragedy, people do. 
 
In response to the massacre in Galilee, Jesus invites people to repentance, to break the cycle of violence, discord, and division.  Repentance simply means to turn around and to walk a different path.  Lent is a time where we are asked to repent, by spending more time in prayer, by making small sacrifices, and to be more generous, forgiving, and loving.  Repentance means that we examine our actions or inactions in light of our faith, and not allow vengeance, political fervor, or greed to turn us away from our call to love, forgive, and to understand.  
 
On Wednesday, April 2^nd, we will be holding our annual Reconciliation Service, a time for us to repent and to respond to God’s love in our lives.  It is a time for us to join as a community of faith and to remind ourselves and one another of God’s abiding love and presence in our lives.  As in prior years, we will be offering general absolution as well as an opportunity for those who would prefer to make an individual confession.  I hope to see everyone on Wednesday, April 2^nd at 7:00 pm.
 
May God bless you and your loved ones today, tomorrow, and forever more.
 
+Harry