Greetings on this the Saturday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: Romans 8:1-11; Psalm 24:1b-2, 3-4ab, 5-6; Luke 13:1-9
Summary
By no means! But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did! By no means! But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did!” (Lk 13:3, 5).
Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were greater sinners than all other Galileans? Do you think they were more guilty than everyone else who lived in Jerusalem? (Lk 13:2, 4b).
Reflection
Beyond our view in sacred scripture is the reason why people told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with the blood of their sacrifices (Lk 13:1).
Why did they tell him the story? We don’t know but we can guess. Or we can focus on the reply as our guide. Jesus answered in a broad and all encompassing way.
- Galileans and Jerusalem – everyone. There is an entire world of difference between those from Galilee and those living in Jerusalem. Country folks, city folks type of difference.
- Oppression and Accident – every type of circumstance. Pilate being an aggressive overlord and shoddy construction or incidental place/time.
- Everyone dies, everyone needs repentance. It is one of the many common theses of human life. Bodily life comes to an end. In what spiritual condition is the main focus of Jesus.
The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree
In this parable Jesus resets the perspective. We can be habitually unfruitful and resistant to the divine will. For three years now I have come in search of fruit on this fig tree but have found none. [So] cut it down. Why should it exhaust the soil? (Lk 13:7).
The parable sets up the understanding of the divine will for us – the divine is patient and ready to forgive – and the living the life in time.
Orchard Owner and Gardener Dialog
The owner wants outcomes. The gardner provides the pathway to the fruitful outcome.
He said to him in reply, ‘Sir, leave it for this year also, and I shall cultivate the ground around it and fertilize it; it may bear fruit in the future. If not you can cut it down.’” (Lk 13:8-9).
Jesus knows the outcomes are always after the cultivating and fertilizing. It may bear fruit in the future. Be patient.
Personal Reflection
So long as you desire to be good, be patient with yourself. Allow Jesus to help you as the gardner helped the unfruitful fig tree. In this parable, fruit is evidence of spiritual health.
Path Forward
- Desire to be fruitful.
- Pray to be fruitful.
- Go to confession to dig out the soil, aerate it and allow the fertilizer to be absorbed.
Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/102525.cfm
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry