Illustration: Jan Luyken etching of the Barren Fig Tree
Pope Francis’ previous homilies for 3rd Sunday of Lent
(Luke 13:1-9)
Some people arrived and told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with that of their sacrifices. At this he said to them, ‘Do you suppose these Galileans who suffered like that were greater sinners than any other Galileans? They were not, I tell you. No; but unless you repent you will all perish as they did. Or those eighteen on whom the tower at Siloam fell and killed them? Do you suppose that they were more guilty than all the other people living in Jerusalem? They were not, I tell you. No; but unless you repent you will all perish as they did.’ He told this parable: ‘A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came looking for fruit on it but found none. He said to the man who looked after the vineyard, “Look here, for three years now I have been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and finding none. Cut it down: why should it be taking up the ground?” “Sir,” the man replied “leave it one more year and give me time to dig round it and manure it: it may bear fruit next year; if not, then you can cut it down.”’
Pope Francis’ previous homily for 3rd Sunday of Lent (2019)
Dear Brothers and Sisters
The Master represents God the Father and the vinedresser is the image of Jesus, while the fig tree is the symbol of an indifferent and insensitive humanity.
Jesus intercedes with the Father on behalf of humanity as he always does, asking him to wait and to give it more time to bear the fruits of love and justice.
The fig tree that the master wants to uproot represents a sterile existence, incapable of giving, incapable of doing good.
It is the symbol of a person who lives for himself, satiated and calm, enjoying his own comforts, incapable of turning his gaze and his heart to those next to him who are in conditions of suffering, poverty and need.
This attitude of selfishness and spiritual barrenness is compared to the vinedresser’s great love for the fig tree.
He asks the Master to wait. He is patient. He knows how to wait, and he devotes his time and his work to it.
He promises the Master to take special care of this unfortunate tree.
And this image of the vinedresser reveals the mercy of God who gives us time for conversion.
We all need to convert, to take a step forward; and God’s patience and mercy accompany us.
In spite of the barrenness that sometimes marks our lives, God is patient and offers us the possibility to change and to progress on the path of goodness.
However, the postponement requested and received in the expectation that the tree will bear fruit also indicates the urgency of conversion.
The vinedresser says to the Master: “Let it be, Lord, this year also” (v. 8).
The possibility of conversion is limited, therefore it is necessary to seize it immediately, otherwise it could be lost forever.
This Lent, we can ask ourselves: what do I have to do to draw closer to the Lord, to convert myself, to “cut out” what is not good? “
No, no, I will wait for the next Lent. But will I be alive next Lent?
Today, let each one of us think: What do I have to do in front of this mercy of God who is waiting for me and who always forgives? What must I do?
We can have great trust in God’s mercy, but without abusing it.
We must not justify spiritual laziness but increase our commitment to respond promptly to this mercy with heartfelt sincerity.
During Lent, the Lord invites us to conversion.
Each one of us must respond to this call and correct something in our lives, in the way we think, behave and live our relationships with others.
At the same time, we must imitate the patience of God, who trusts in everyone’s ability to “get up” and continue on the path.
God is Father and does not extinguish the weak flame but rather accompanies and cares for those who are weak so that they may gain strength and bring their contribution of love to the community.
May the Virgin Mary help us to live these days of preparation for Easter as a time of spiritual renewal and trusting openness to the grace of God and his mercy