Today’s Scripture Readings

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.”’

I struggled with my education because I attended 7 schools due to regular family moves. I was ‘a late bloomer’ and it was not till my late twenties, that I began to excel at my university studies leading to my becoming a teacher. Many people do not blossom or find their niche in life till much later due to setbacks such as poverty, ill health, emotional trauma, developmental issues or lack of opportunities. Society has a timetable that promotes designated pathways leading to instant success. The reality for all of us is that our life journey has many twists and turns.

Jesus’ use of an agricultural parable about the Barren Fig Tree failing to provide fruit by the end of its third year reminds us that God is patient with ‘late bloomers’. He is the gardener that does not uproot the plant but provides special attention to it by aerating the soil, feeding, watering and manuring it so that it can prosper and bear much fruit.

Just as Jesus is patient with us, we too are called to nurture the gifts of others, especially, when they are slow to develop or thwarted by bad choices. We pray for parents and teachers that they will have patience and actively foster the gifts of the children in their care, choosing to see their potential, even when their growth is agonisingly slow. How can we encourage a friend, a family member or a fellow worker to ‘bear fruit’ especially in those seasons when their lives are difficult and seemingly, unproductive.

Jesus, we give you permission to dig around in our lives and manure us so that we can bear fruit aplenty. Amen.