Gospel: Luke 13:1-9
There were some present at that very time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And he answered them, ‘Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered in this way? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.’ And he told this parable: ‘A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. And he said to the vine dresser, “Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?” And he answered him, “Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig round it and put on manure. Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.”’
PROMPTS FOR FAITH-SHARING
Do you get frustrated when you do all you can to live a holy life, and bad things still happen? Has there been a particularly frustrating situation recently? How do you deal with earthly suffering?
Do you have any experience watching a fruitless fig tree finally begin to bloom? Did you give up on it, or fight to keep it planted?
Has God ever broken into your life in a radical scene, like Moses encountering the burning bush?
Is there anyone in your life who lives as an example to you of how to grow in holiness? How did you encounter this person’s story? How does looking at the story of someone else’s faith influence your own growth?