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“‘For three years now I have come in search of fruit on this fig
tree but have found none. So cut it down. Why should it exhaust the
soil?’ He said to him in reply, ‘Sir, leave it for this year also,
and I shall cultivate the ground around it and fertilize it; it may
bear fruit in the future. If not you can cut it down.’” Luke
13:7–9
Imagine for a moment that you were the owner of the orchard in
which this fig tree was planted. After the gardener asked you to
wait for one more year and promised to fertilize the unfruitful fig
tree and cultivate the ground around it, you agreed. Then imagine
coming to inspect that same fig tree the next year. Imagine three
scenarios. First, what would you do if, once again, there were no
figs present? Second, what if there were only a few figs? Third,
what if the tree suddenly produced an abundance of good
fruit?
It seems clear that in the first scenario, if for the fourth year
in a row not a single fig was produced, it would be time to cut
down the tree. This depicts the justice of God sent forth on those
who obstinately resist His grace. In the second scenario, the
decision might be more difficult. If the tree produced only a few
figs for the first time, then perhaps that would provide enough
hope for the future of that tree to ask the gardener to continue
caring for it. This depicts those who are in a state of grace but
are still lazy in their service of the will of God. In the third
scenario, however, the reaction of the owner of the orchard would
be clear. There would be much excitement and gratitude that the
gardener’s good work paid off.
Jesus is the Gardener, and we are the fig tree. This parable should
lead us to look at our lives and examine whether or not we bear
good fruit for the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus comes to you to
cultivate the soil of your heart, fertilizing it with His holy
Word, watering it with His Sacraments and doing all He can to give
you the opportunity to produce the fruit of charity in your life.
How successful are these actions of our Lord in your life?
Too often, when we see only a little good fruit being borne from
our lives, we are satisfied. And though any good fruit is good, we
are wasting our lives if we do not do all we can to become as
abundantly fruitful as possible. Imagine the joy in the Hearts of
our Lord and the Father in Heaven if they were to look upon you and
see good fruit being produced beyond expectation. Why wouldn’t this
be your goal in life? Our Lord is patient, but He is also just. Do
not try His patience, and do not succumb to His
justice.
Reflect, today, upon the image of you being this fig tree and our
Lord as the divine Gardener. Commit yourself to His actions of
tilling and fertilizing. You do so by strengthening your commitment
to reading and understanding the Word of God, by participating more
fully in the Sacraments, by being more focused upon your daily
prayer, by examining your conscience more fully, and by sincerely
confessing your sins. Do all you can to cooperate with the action
of our divine Gardener and you will be amazed at the good fruit
that begins to pour forth from your life.
My divine Gardener, You have committed Yourself to the humble
work of tilling the soil of my heart and fertilizing it with Your
abundant mercy. I choose, this day, to respond to Your grace and
pray that my cooperation with You will produce an abundance of good
fruit in my life for Your glory and the building up of Your
Kingdom. Jesus, I trust in You.
Image: The Vine Dresser and the Fig Tree (Le vigneron et le
figuier) - James Tissot, Image via picyrl
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