The Word of God
At that very time there were some present who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. He asked them, ‘Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were worse sinners than all other Galileans? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as they did. Or those eighteen who were killed when the tower of Siloam fell on them-do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others living in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish just as they did.'
Then he told this parable: ‘A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and found none. So he said to the gardener, "See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none. Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?" He replied, "Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig round it and put manure on it. If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down." '
Luke 13:1-9
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- In the East if a bad event happens to you, it may be a result of your bad karma from bad actions either in this life or a previous life. It seems that some Jews had a similar belief about bad events being a form of punishment for bad deeds. Jesus is firmly debunking that kind of negative thinking about God. Real repentance prepares for entrance into God’s kingdom and into new life which starts now but reaches fulfillment in the next life.
- The second parable today underlines God’s patience in waiting for us to repent and to grow. The gardener puts manure around the tree. This manure smells bad but it promotes growth. It takes time, courage and effort to repent and to right our own wrongs, say that we are sorry and make amends. Humiliations are good for us if they increase our humility.
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- Einstein used to say: ‘God is mysterious but not malicious’. We don’t know enough to affirm that God never sends us suffering: but we know that if it comes our way it will always be for our healing, never for punishment. When I sin I create my own misery, and possibly that of others too. If I take drugs I can become an addict, and spoil all my relationships and my life prospects.
- Lord, you respect my choices, even the bad ones, but you are busy in the ensuing suffering. You work to undo the harm I cause, and you try to bring me to a happier way of life. You have come that we may have life, life to the full (John 10:10).
- Lord, thank you for not despairing of any of us, including those I know who have hit the bottom. May I always pray for them, hope for them and treat them with endless dignity, no matter how dreadfully they may feel about themselves.
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- In our world there are many atrocities with the senseless killing of innocent people. It does highlight human frailty and point to some distorted thinking. Jesus you drew attention to an event of which little is known to point out that all of us are called to conversion. Comparing and thinking we are better is not the way forward. We pray for honesty and humility to hear your call to repentance.
- These days many want instant results, immediate gratification, as if knowledge or information can provide answers to all the questions of life. Trees grow slowly, fruit takes time to develop and mature. The same is true for ourselves. Lord, you are the gardener, who cultivate and nourish us. We pray for the patience to wait, the openness to be pruned, so that we are more fruitful to your glory.
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- Jesus does not leave us unaided. As with the fig tree, he provides us with everything we need to bear fruit. There is an old story which describes Peter at the gates of heaven. The world has ended. The sheep have been separated from the goats; all the faithful have entered heaven and Peter is preparing to close the gates. Then he sees Jesus standing outside. ‘Master’ he says, ‘what are you doing outside?’ Jesus replies, ‘I’m waiting for Judas.’
- Jesus will wait for me, too, beyond the end of time. But I can only go to him within time. And he cannot force me to go to him. He stands at the door and knocks. Can I hear his call today?
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- ‘Unless you repent you will all perish as they did’. Some clear words of warning from Jesus, who alerts us to the risk of feeling too satisfied with ourselves and our ways. Is there something I feel called to change, an area in my relationships I do not feel satisfied with? I ask Jesus to let me hear his words as addressed to me.
- Yet, Jesus cannot avoid speaking of God’s patience and mercy with us. He is always ready to give us more time, to trust in our capacity to bear fruit, even after many barren years. Am I ready to believe in myself as he does? Am I patient with myself and with others as he is?
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- The story about the fig tree is about the patience of God, our need for time to repent and grow in our faith and prayer, and it is about the 'God of the many chances'. The God of Jesus never lets go on us, and always believes in our future. All of us carry particular faults and failings through life, and even though we try our best, find that they stay with us. God knows this and sees our efforts to change and be renewed. Prayer helps us to believe in ourselves as God believes in us.
- In the different desires and activities of life we can be with God or not with him. We can love him fully or find ourselves tempted from God's path. Jesus calls all the time to change so that we live out of the best side of ourselves and change so that we become more like him. At the Eucharist we pray, 'May we come to share in the divinity of Christ who humbled himself to share in our humanity'.
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- Jesus is still trying to insist to the crowds that they have come to a time of great danger. He will not be side-tracked or distracted, so that even the reports of an atrocity by Pilate and an accident are irrelevant, compared to the catastrophe that awaits the world which rejects God's special one.
- The parable of the fig tree offers a glimpse of hope. The gardener will do what he can to produce fruit from the fig tree, giving it more time and attention. But there will come a point where he will have to give up. The fig tree and the vineyard are traditional metaphors for God's people, as God expects them to produce fruits of repentance and holiness. But time is running out.
- Perhaps I do not feel myself to be under pressure to produce fruit, though I may still ask whether I am doing all I can or should be doing. In any case, let me stay once again with the anguish of Jesus trying to show people the urgency of their situation and what is at stake. Let me be close to Jesus, the lonely prophet.
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- The gardener is confident that if he makes another effort the fig tree can bear fruit, in spite of appearances. I too can be involved in what looks like an impossible situation, with someone close to me, in my own family or in the work place. I pray to be merciful like the Father.
- Saint John Paul II was a massive presence in the Church and in the world for more than a quarter of a century. I thank God for what I know I have received through this great Pope. I pray to God for Pope Francis, and ask him to send us holy and wise leaders.
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- As with so many of Jesus’ words, this must be set in its context. He is speaking to his own people, using an image from the prophets: Israel as the Lord’s vineyard. He is begging his people to wake up to their opportunity, to bear fruit.
- You speak to me too, Lord. You look to me for fruit, for signs of love in my life. I do not want to be wasting my opportunities, but I rely on you to have patience and help me. Dig around me and dung me, even if it hurts. You alone know how to make something good of my life.
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- Jesus came to help us to have a right relationship with God. If we listen to his word and try to correct our mistakes in our way of living, we are on the path to of inner contentment. The time given for the fig tree to bear fruit testifies to God’s patience with us.
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- Jesus comments on the news stories of his time. Just as in our time, narratives of destruction and distress capture the attention. As always, Jesus is telling us not just to look out but is asking us to look in; He is concerned not just with what is going on in our heads but wants us to look at what is happening in our hearts and ask how God is opening us to compassion, prompting us to repentance and leading us to life.
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- Jewish belief was that whatever evil befell people was a punishment for sin. The more a person had to suffer, the greater their sinning must be! Jesus rejects this simplistic notion. Instead he emphasises repentance, which means a turning around toward God and one’s neighbour.
- Cultivating and fertilising the fig tree is a symbol of God’s mercy in action. Lord, you know my strengths and my frailties better than I do. You are a patient and loving God and you have planted the seeds of change in my heart. Now is the time for these seeds to bear fruit.
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- The gardener planted the tree. He waters it, feeds it, and prunes it. Everything he does is designed to produce a strong, healthy fruitful tree. Can I see his loving hand in all that happens to me?
- The Lord has planted me in this life. He has given me all I need to bear fruit that will delight him. Some day in the future will be my last day on earth. After it, there will be no further opportunity to increase the quality or the quantity of the fruit that I bear. What if that day were to be today?
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- Jesus uses two instances of tragedy as occasions to call for repentance and conversion. No one can predict what the future may bring, but one can determine to a degree what happens today. As Saint Paul states: ‘Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation’ (2 Corinthians 6:2).
- We are presented here with two contrasting attitudes. The owner sees only that the barren fig tree is wasting valuable space. But the gardener, who is more expert in these matters, loves the tree and sees that it may have potential with proper care and nurturing; he wants to give it another chance. The gardener represents God’s compassion, and also his activity in my life to make me blossom.
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- Jesus knew that people are easily distracted by the news from the world around them. When he said, ‘think of yourselves, of your own hearts’ he was not being dismissive or careless about the world but is calling us to have the same compassion as he had.
- Jesus often uses images of cultivation and growth to help us understand the kingdom of God. God puts care, attention, energy and sacrifice into my growth. I ask for help to bear the fruit that God values.
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- Like the fig tree, I can feel that my life is sterile. But I ask God for a little more time to bear fruit. What nourishment do I need to become a fruitful tree that gives itself generously?
- Jesus often speaks of the need to repent. This means turning away from anything that is not of God. I ask to be brought more and more into the world of goodness and love, of light and of truth. I want to be a genuine disciple.