March 3, 2013 - Saint John The Evangelist

chances. The parable that Jesus uses tells us that God’s
work of redemption is never finished. The gardener
tells the owner of the orchard to give him another year
to cultivate the barren tree so that it may bear fruit in
the future. And so it is with us. Jesus constantly brings
us to the fertile ground of his love and forgiveness in
order that we bear the fruits of his kingdom. We are
constantly being brought to the threshold of redemption
and transformation when we open our lives to the Lord’s
forgiveness.
Reflecting
on the Sunday Readings
with Fr. John J. Ludden, Pastor
Prayer
Lord, as we journey through Lent, help us to realize that
the ground on which we stand is holy ground. May we
always turn away from the things that keep us from you,
so that we may know and experience your presence in our
lives. In your name, faithful God, we pray. Amen!
Voices of Faith
The Fig Tree
The fig tree stands wide and tall
Witnessing the passing of time and seasons
Its branches reach out to the sun’s light
Waiting to bear fruit
The landowner looks on year after year
Of the fruit – he sees none
“Cut it down” he does say to the laborer
“Less you exhaust the soil”
The generous soul no stranger to toil
Patiently implores his master
“Leave it this year also, and I shall cultivate the soil around it;
It may bear fruit in future time…. If not you can cut it down”
Image: Fig Tree
Source: Stock.XCHNG.com
And so the master listens to the voice of the gardener
And lets the fig tree live on
The soil and the hand who toils
Work together with the radiance of light… waiting for the fruit
of promise
The caretaker of the earth
Cultivates and fertilizers the sacred ground
Around fruitless tree
He is hopeful of the fruits of his labor
The fig tree struggles to bear fruit
It depends on the handiwork
Of the one who cares to love
And the one who dares to hope
March 3, 2013 ~ Third Sunday of Lent
All of creation waits in anticipation
The fig tree groans in labor pains
As it allows heaven’s light to infuse its limbs
And as it receives the generosity of the gardener who nourishes
its roots
The caretaker reverences the sacred soil with care
His laborer of love gives birth to life
The tree gives birth to fruit
And the fig tree stands tall…. rooted firmly in fertile soil….it
lives on!
—“Peaceful Moments” by Fr. John J. Ludden
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