Gospel Reflection - 3rd Sunday of Lent


The owner of the fig tree is frustrated because the tree has not produced any fruit for three years. When asked to cut it down, his gardener requests one more year to give it special attention. If it continues to not produce fruit after that time, he'll cut it down.

I see three figures represented in this parable. The owner of the tree is God, the gardener is Jesus, and the fig tree is us. God is the great Judge who, at the end of time, will sort the good from the bad, the produce from the weeds. The “year” that Jesus has to cultivate our hearts & souls, to intercede for us, is actually the whole of our lives. He will continue to clear out the weeds of sin and fertilize us with His love and mercy up to our very last breath. Accepting His care, we, like roots that grow deep into the soil, will become grounded in our Faith and fully bloom in Heaven.

Even better, we actually have a group of gardeners tending to our growth. Our Blessed Mother Mary and all the saints in Heaven are interceding for us through Jesus, the Master Gardener, to God our Heavenly Father. I can't think of a better group of caretakers for our hearts and souls. Can you?

Have you ever lost a plant that you’ve really tried to care for? How did that make you feel?

How do you think Jesus feels each time one of his “plants” refuses to grow? What can you do to cooperate more with His cultivation of your heart and soul?

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