Gospel reflection for the 3rd Sunday of Lent

The Parable of the Fig Tree…

In our dealings and encounters with other people, we are often quick to dismiss them or even write them often when they don’t meet our standards or expectations. Thankfully this is not how God treats us. Just as God is love, so also God is patient. Time and time again, God offers us the opportunity to change, repent and start again. This is beautifully illustrated in the gospel for the third Sunday of Lent. The owner of the orchard is quick to up root and cut the down the fig tree because it bears no fruit. However the gardener gives the tree yet another chance to mature and produce fruit.

During Lent, the voice of God calls to each of us with these words, ‘Come back to me with all your heart, for I am all tenderness and compassion’.  Tempted as we might to give up on others and even ourselves, when we feel or Lenten promises are producing no fruit, God never gives up on each. God calls us by our name and waits, and waits.