Bearing Fruit -Reflection on Luke 13:1-9
As we grow more aware of the numerous times God’s grace transforms who we are, we also become aware of the fruit of His will. Before this hindsight, we can see that spiritual blindness created missed opportunities that far outnumber successful engagements with Trinity. This awareness provided the personal insight that what seems to matter to God is constantly attempting forward movement despite stumbling. Understanding God’s forgiveness and love produces knowledge and freedom to be responsible and present for others at any moment. To do so requires pruning our weaker “self,” nurturing the positives in life, and feeding what is growing correctly. Like the fig tree, we can humbly identify the marks and signs of bearing fruit after being enriched.
The Vine Dresser and the Fig Tree by James Tissot, (full-resolution image of painting)
More details are available on the Brooklyn Museum website.
Additional Ordinary Time Reflections
Luke 13:1-9 – Scripture*
Repent or Perish
13 At that very time there were some present who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2 He asked them, “Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were worse sinners than all other Galileans? 3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as they did. 4 Or those eighteen who were killed when the tower of Siloam fell on them—do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others living in Jerusalem? 5 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish just as they did.”
The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree
6 Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and found none. 7 So he said to the gardener, ‘See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none. Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?’ 8 He replied, ‘Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig around it and put manure on it. 9 If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’”
Additional Thoughts
Thank you for meditating on this Gospel and reading this Lectio Divina on Luke 13:1-9 Reflection – Bearing Fruit.
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Prayer for young families:
Lord, let the young families of our communities experience your joy, peace, comfort, and love despite the world’s distractions.
Attributions
* This site has written permission to use the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) Bible for the passage of Luke 13.
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Primary Lectio Divina word or phrase: Bearing Fruit
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