The Nazareth Page - A gospel meditation for your home
March 23, 2025 – Third Sunday of Lent, Luke 13:1-9
REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
Download this simple process to Prepare for Sunday using the Observe, Judge, Act Method
One of the more familiar gospel passages goes something like this: Repent, God’s reign is at hand. I grew up in a church where the notion of sin and repentance were often mentioned. Every month in the Catholic school I attended, we were all marched over to the parish church “to go to confession.” I did not complain. I felt that this was a good excuse to get outside, away from the daily routine. Plus there was always something that I had done wrong and I was grateful to be rid of that through the sacrament of repentance.
Now, as an adult I have rethought the meaning of repentance as more than simply an act of confessing one’s sins. It has a more positive meaning involving doing good in the world, helping the needy, feeding the hungry, caring for others. And if you are a caring person, you will be aware of the many opportunities to repent each day by moving in a positive way. I recall an adage from my youth: Eliminate the negative and accentuate the positive. Still a good expression.
In today’s gospel Jesus uses the example of attending to a fig tree, common in the land where he lived, to help us then and now to understand more clearly this active meaning of repentance. It also can be applied to the growth of God’s kingdom on Earth.
He referred to the fig tree because it was quite valuable to anyone who owned one. Not only can figs be consumed as a tasty fruit (I once enjoyed a tasty “fichi” gelato in Rome), but figs are also considered one of the earliest health foods in the world. They are especially good as a digestive supplement. Fig trees are ubiquitous in the Middle East and are now grown around the world in warmer climates.
If a fig tree fails to produce fruit, it should be cut down. It’s useless. It is not fulfilling its purpose. In a similar way, if we fail to fulfil God’s purposes for us on Earth, we need to repent and discard what is not “fruitful” in establishing God’s ways among us. Discard what is harmful or hurtful and replace it with what is beneficial and good. For ourselves and others.
After Vatican II, like many features of our faith life, the meaning of repentance and forgiveness were enhanced by an emphasis on doing good works. It was considered insufficient to just say we are sorry, but we were to replace our sin with virtue. Become a good fig that brings health and enjoyment to all.
David M. Thomas, PhD