Mar242019
Third Sunday of Lent
In casual conversation, I have heard the phrase ‘waste of space’ used to describe a person who seems to be totally useless. The Gospel for the Third Sunday of Lent shows the fallacy of this statement. Jesus speaks about a fig tree planted in a garden that bears no fruit for three years. The owner of the property wants the tree cut down because it is “wasting the soil” (waste of space). The gardener makes the case to give the tree one more year, “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.” We can be like that tree and fail to produce spiritual fruit. When this happens, the Gospel offers a simple message: God is willing to work with us rather than to give up on us. We see this in God’s relationship with the Israelites mentioned in both the First Reading and the Second Reading. Moses often acted as an advocate for the people when they sinned against God. The words of the Responsorial Psalm, “The Lord is merciful and gracious”, remind us that God is greater than our sins. This is why He never gives up on us. This message should give us encouragement as we continue our Lenten Journey. Let us take comfort in the fact that nobody should be considered a ‘waste of space’ when there is hope of conversion.
Category: Publications
Posted by: Margaret