RBWords

     In the courtyard of our Dominican priory here in Houston is a lemon tree (a "Meyer Lemon" tree).  When it was planted last year, it already had fruit on it.  This is will be the first year to see if its location is a good one and if it needs particular care to bear fruit.  It is a very pretty tree but the idea is for it to bear fruit - those nice big Meyer lemons!  I also have a Satsuma orange tree that I grew from seed!  This has not yet borne fruit but I know that this takes time when it is grown from seed.  Nevertheless, my expectation is to eventually enjoy some Satsuma oranges!   The image used by Jesus about the barren fig tree in today's gospel, therefore, strikes a chord!

      Christian life is a continual process of conversion and repentance.  This might seem a gloomy statement but it means that, like any good relationship, our relationship with the Lord requires care and effort.  If we are honest with ourselves, we must acknowledge that we have weaknesses and faults that can harm us or others.  Often these rise up in times of stress when we are most vulnerable.  St. Paul, in the second scripture for today, warns the Corinthian community that their status as Christians is not going to protect them from sin.  They have to maintain a sense of commitment to their relationship to Christ.  The gospel scripture today from Luke has Jesus telling the crowd that repentance is not just for some folks, it is for all, but especially for those in leadership!  The barren fig tree with nice foliage is a symbol of the concern of leadership with appearances rather than bearing fruit. As Jesus says elsewhere in the gospel, "By their fruit you will know them."  I have to do more than look at my fruit trees and the same is true of my Christian commitment!  AMEN

(Note:  in some parishes the scriptures will be taken from Cycle A to accommodate the RCIA process.)