Third Sunday of Lent Barren fig tree

Lent 3 C Barren fig tree

            Today Jesus gives us the parable of the barren fig tree. Why was it barren? We don’t know why. In spite of all the care and concern of the gardener, the tree remained barren, esterile. It was maybe a proud tree that wanted to just produce leaves, to show off, a beautiful manifestation of its magnificence. Or perhaps it was its selfishness, to keep the produce for itself, not to lose its healthy look. It reminds us of our modern man, too concerned about his body image, going to the gym to look at himself in the mirrors that surround him. We are the fig tree in this parable and we hardly produce what God wants us to produce. Our pride, vanity and selfishness get in the way.

            The fig tree is a biblical tree, the third one mentioned in the Bible, after the tree of life and the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Adam and Eve sew garments from its leaves when they realised they were naked. At least they could use its leaves. It is a tree that produces two crops a year and its figs can be dried for further consumption. It is a symbol of prosperity, well-being and security. We have the potential of being like the fig tree, producing what God wants us to produce. You know the tree by its fruits. A good tree produces good fruit, but if it is barren, it is better to be used for firewood than occupying space for nothing.

            The landlord, God the Father, wants to cut it down. He’s got a point: another tree could produce more. Why take up space in the garden for no purpose? Trees were created for others, to provide shade, to give shelter to animals, to allow birds to build their nests, to produce fruits to eat, or flowers to pollinate. Jesus convinces his father to try again, to be patient for another year. It was easy for him: his Father always listens to him. We are still here. This means that Jesus has given us another year to produce. Let him look after you. He is going to dig around you, spread manure, water and sing a song. But you need to cooperate with him, to get rid of the obstacles, and go to the sacraments, confession and communion, to receive the fertilizer we all yearn for.

            What is it that doesn’t allow us to produce? We need to be sincere with ourselves, to answer this question correctly. It is easy to find excuses: the sun is too hot, the wind too cold, the water too salty, the ground too rocky. If we are not producing good, beautiful fruit, it is our fault. Because the seed is good, God’s grace is abundant and Jesus is the best gardener. Lent is a good time to examine ourselves and find the way to produce what God wants us to produce.

            Priests love gardening because plants are very rewarding. If you look after them, they grow. If you create the necessary conditions they always do well. Souls, you never know; they are free. With the same care, one goes one way, another a different way; one goes up, the other down; one becomes an angel, the other a little devil. We are free, and we can either produce or become sterile. Parents can decide to have children, or be selfish and close down the fountain of life. We can offer to God what he wants us to do, or we can keep our lives for ourselves, and stop our fruits to reach eternity.

josephpich@gmail.com