REFLECTIONS TODAY

Gospel • [of John 4:5-42]

Some people who were present told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with the blood of their sacrifices. Jesus said to them in reply, “Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were greater sinners than all other Galileans? By no means! But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did! Or those eighteen people who were killed when the tower at Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than everyone else who lived in Jerusalem? By no means! But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did!” 

And he told them this parable: “There once was a person who had a fig tree planted in his orchard, and when he came in search of fruit on it but found none, he said to the gardener, ‘For three years now I have come in search of fruit on this fig tree but have found none. So cut it down. Why should it exhaust the soil?’ 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.’ ”

Be fruitful!

In the Bible, fig trees symbolize “blessings.” They stand for peace and prosperity (Is 36:16). A picture of peace is that of people sitting under their own vines, under their own fig trees undisturbed, because there are no enemies to expropriate the fruits at harvest time (Mi 4:4). The fig tree is not only useful for its fruits. The fruit, leaves, and roots can also be used as medicine. No wonder, people eagerly await for the harvest. But if there are fruitful fig trees, there are also barren ones. 

In the Gospel parable, the orchard owner asks the gardener to cut down the barren tree because it simply exhausts the soil. The gardener knows that with careful tending, with enough fertilizer and sunlight, the tree may yet bear the expected fruits. And so he asks the owner for another chance. We are all fig trees, reliant on the care of God. God provides for everything that we need for growth and fruition, but it is up to us if we cooperate and so bear fruit. 
The parable of the fig tree is also about a person who merely lives and refuses to become useful, who refuses to pursue things that are of true value. Yes, indeed, there are people who refuse the graces offered them for the spread of God’s reign, for peace, justice, and love. Let us remember that it is in Jesus’ self-giving that we were saved. In the same way, we are called to bear fruit, to participate in Jesus’ salvific action. 

Let us also remember that the time given us is not limitless. It may be short or long, but sooner or later we will appear before the Lord to render an account of the graces and opportunities given us. The time to act is now, not tomorrow or some later date.

Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2025,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.