Alive in Him

A Reflection on the Gospel for March 24th, 2019:
​Third Sunday of Lent

​Luke 13.1-9

Jesus was teaching the crowds; some of those present told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.

Jesus 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 Jesus 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?’

“The gardener replied, ‘Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig around it and put manure on it. If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’”

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​Caring for plants requires knowledge, resources, and persistence. You must learn how much water and sunlight, and what kind of soil your plant needs – and despite your best efforts they may not cooperate.
 
I own a “prayer plant” (named for the way its leaves open in daylight and fold like praying hands at night) and actually named it ‘Ora’. It was vibrant for several years until, last winter, it began wilting. The leaves finally fell off and, after persevering a few weeks and seeing no progress (beyond producing a damp pot of dirt), I stopped tending to it.
 
When my mother heard that it had shrivelled up she insisted I continue watering it:
“Prayer plants are incredibly resilient, and I’ve gone through this before with one at work. My co-worker watched me water the empty pot and laughed at me, but within a few months its leaves sprouted up again – he was shocked. You just have to have faith, it’ll come back!”
 
In obedience, I resumed my watering routine and, sure enough, within a couple months Ora “resurrected” – even sprouting lovely white flowers in time for Easter!
 
In Sunday’s Gospel parable, Jesus speaks of two men – the owner of the plant and the Gardner who cares for it. God reveals His heart to us through these characters.
 
God is Justice – the owner. He created us to have life, to bear fruit. In the words of Bishop Robert Barron, “Every single person in God’s economy has a mission – to be a conduit of the Divine Grace into the world.” Just as fig trees are made to produce figs. The only way we can fulfill our mission is to be rooted in Him, and so a fruitful person is one who surrenders to God producing fruits of love, peace, and compassion by His Spirit. He is Life, and as we become closer to Him (holiness) we become more fully alive.

"​He is Life, and as we become closer to Him (holiness) we become more fully alive."

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God is also Mercy – the gardener. He knows the effects of sin and accounts for the difficulties we will face in drawing near to Him in this world. The Spirit is our advocate, and He defends us and pleads on our behalf – asking for more time and opportunities to respond to His love and grace. Just like my mother asked me to take another chance on Ora! He digs, stirring up His presence in our hearts, and sets down manure, giving us extra nourishment – and He prays that we respond with due urgency. He sets us up for life in every way possible.
 
Lent is the season to “examine the status of our fig tree”.  Is the fruit of the Holy Spirit evident in my life? What do I deserve according to God’s justice, and how is He extending His mercy to me in my weakness? How can I respond and receive the life He wants to give me, so I can bear fruit for His Kingdom in love?
 
Let’s do a health check, and in the areas where we are lacking growth let’s ask our Merciful Gardener to do what is necessary to restore us and form us into beautiful, fruit-bearing disciples. 

​Kendra Chisholm

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