Third Sunday of Lent

Jesus tells us a parable about a fig tree. This fig tree had been planted in an orchard but when the owner came to look for fruit on the tree, he found none. This was the third year that the tree had not born fruit so he told the gardener to cut it down. However, the gardener replied, "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 you do not cut it down."

Now, we can draw many lessons from this parable. What is Jesus trying to tell us? First, that he is willing to wait and give us still another chance to bear fruit. Or is he the gardener who wants to cultivate the ground and fertilize it? Jesus has told us that we are to bear fruit and our fruit will remain. Let us pray not to be like the barren fig tree.

The first year that I was superior of the community in Coquimbo, Chile, we were very poor and living in the poorest region so we barely had enough to eat as we were five living on the salary of one workman which is what the parish paid us for taking care of the church, making the hosts for all the churches, and even cleaning the church. Well, we had a fig tree in the back of our house and it had never given fruit. The year I arrived it was laden with fruit and the community had enough to fruit to eat for the first time. They all thought it was a miracle. I think the goodness of the Lord made that fig tree bear abundant fruit.