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 13:8-9
I once planted three citrus trees. Two immediately produced tangerines and lemons. But the orange tree struggled. I spent extra money on fertilizer and water. But it never produced. I gave it five years and then cut it down. I felt bad about it but it wasn't growing. In today's gospel, Jesus addresses this in the parable of the fig tree. The tree grows but bears no fruit. If it's bearing no fruit, then it pulls valuable nutrients from the soil that could be feeding the other trees around it. It's of no value. So how do trees and fertilizer relate to our faith walk? You are called by God to lift up others in your walk with God. By living a life of love, joy, self-control, patience, faithfulness, kindness, goodness, gentleness, and peace, then you will be proclaiming and inviting others to Jesus through your actions. For when we do, the result will produce great fruit!
Question for Reflection
What kind of fruit are you producing?
Lord help me to be a true reflection of love, peace, joy and hope for others!
