Gospel: Luke 13:1-9
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
Reflection:
Our Gospel for today is from Luke 13:1-9 which talks about the parable of the fig tree. . This Lenten season, it is important to go back to where we should find ourselves getting busy with. The gospel from Luke 13:1-9 talks about the fig tree which does not bear fruits. There are two points I wanted to tackle for today’s Gospel from Luke 13:1-9.
1. “Unless you repent, you will all perish as they did”.
First, the gospel reminds us that in every point in our lives we should all take time to repent our wrongdoings. We all know that money or whatever possessions we have here on earth are nothing when we die. The last resort a person will have is death.
No one knows when death will come to each of us so we must get ready. To be ready means to start repenting, to go back to God and ask for forgiveness for all the sins we committed. Even the highest official of this world is nothing if he will not repent for his sins.
Jesus wants us to remember that this Lenten season is the good time to think over of the sins we have. To forgive what others have done to us and to ask for forgiveness to those we sinned.
2. The parable of the fig tree.
Second is the parable of the fig tree. You may not know the real meaning of the parable as you never tried to understand it deep. Yet, when you wanted to take a look beyond the words of the parable, you will see what it meant.
The parable of the fib tree reminds us that God never abandoned us. He still gives us time to bear good fruits like the fig tree. He always extends His mercy on us because of His love for mankind. Now, we almost forgot that we must give back what is due to Him. We sinned and always will because we know we God will forgive us. This is not right as we have to put an effort to always be good.
Man like the fig tree will always sin but God will always extend His grace and mercy to all the sinners. This Lenten season, take a moment to remember why God chose us. Repent and return to God our all. – Clea | Helpline PH
