During the course of his ministry, we often hear that Jesus knew his hour was coming, or that it had arrived. This week, we encounter Jesus telling a parable with time as a main character in his story. The gardener asks for one more year in order that the fig tree might produce fruit. Jesus’ intention is to ask us whether we are prepared now to bear fruit? The hour is coming when Jesus will give his life on the cross. So too for us, the time is approaching and even now is here for us to bear fruit for the sake of the people in our community, our city, and our world.