In the gospel of
today (Lk 13:1-9), Jesus uses the parable of the barren fig tree to illustrate
the dangers of fruitlessness in Christian life. This parable is preceded by a
warning. After hearing about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with
their sacrifices; and those eighteen who were killed when the tower of Siloam
fell on them, Jesus warns, “…I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all
perish just as they did." Jesus uses the parable of the barren fig tree to
teach us the importance of repentance and dangers of fruitlessness. In the
parable of the barren fig tree, lessons are drawn from the major characters and
images mentioned in the story.
THE MASTER OF
THE VINEYARD: The owner of the vineyard is God. (Isa 5:7). Every farmer desires
good fruit from his farm. Common sense tells us that when a farmer plants a tree
that did not bear fruits according to its nature, that tree is cut down by the
farmer and he then tries specie. However, the master is always patient. 2Pet
3:34 that some take God’s patients for weakness. It may seem in the eyes of
sinners that he has forgotten. He is only being patient, but his patience is
running out. The master’s patience has a limit. The master will still come back
to see how much the fig tree has have improved.
THE GARDENER: From
the response of the gardener in this parable, we can picture the person of
Christ. The gardener said to the master, “Sir, let it alone for one more year,
until I dig around it and put manure on it”. It points to the person of our
Lord Jesus Christ as a mediator between us and God. He pleads for us at the
right hand of the Father. He manures us with the word of God to see if we can
improve. The master allowed another one year, which means there is a time limit
to what the mediator can do for us—the fig tree.
THE FIG TREE: The
fig tree is one of the most important trees in the bible. The bible is replete
with imageries of the fig tree. In Gen. 3:7, Adam and Eve fashioned their first
clothing from the fig tree. The fig tree is valued for the delicious fruits it
produces (Judges 9:11). In 1Kings 4:25, it is designated as a symbol of peace,
security and prosperity. Jesus used the fig tree in this parable probably
because much is expected from it. Jesus refers to the people of Israel as the
fig tree whom much fruit is expected from, considering much that was given to
them. The first reading of today recalls the early stage of their miraculous
deliverance from the hands of the Egyptians to establish them on a land flowing
with milk and honey.
We are the new Israelites. What is it that God
has not done for us? We have no reason not to bear good fruits because God has
established us on a fertile soil through our baptism, the graces we have
received, the forgiveness we receive, and the Spirit in us. Today’s responsible psalm recaps how God has given us a conducive atmosphere to bear
much fruits. “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget all his benefits –
who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your
life from the Pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies
you with good as long as you live so that your youth is renewed like the
eagle's.” (Ps (102)103:2-50)
THE FRUITS: Galatians
5:22-23 describes the fruits of the Spirit as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
gentleness and self-control. In summary, repentance is the greatest fruit we
can produce as Christians. These gifts must be shared with whomever we meet.
Finally, all our
Lenten observances: prayer, fasting and abstinence, are ways in which Christ
nourishes us with the sun and the rain, with the soil fertilizers and the nutrients.
What is more touching is that he pleads insistently to the Father to give us
more one year. And the master said, “If it bears fruit next year, well and
good; but if not, you can cut it down." This year’s Lent is another one year to grow. But
can we have another one year after this? Can we live to see the Lenten season
of next year? Only God knows, but evidence shows that many who were with us
last year are no more with us now. Let us not take the grace of God for granted
or overconfident in our spiritual journey. MAY GOD HELP US IN ALL OUR EFFORTS
TO BEAR FRUITS. AMEN.
