Fruitful Living

Jesus tells a parable about a fig tree that hasn’t borne fruit. The owner is ready to cut it down. It’s been there long enough. It’s using up the soil. But the gardener speaks up. Give it time. Let me care for it. Maybe it will bear fruit. (Luke 13:1-9)

It’s easy to focus on the tree, but this story is about us. God gives us life, love, and opportunities. Are we using them well? Are we growing? Or are we just taking up space, waiting for something to change?

Some people bring life. They encourage, uplift, and act. Others do the opposite. They criticise, complain, and wait for someone else to fix things. The Israelites in the second reading (1 Corinthians 10:1-6, 10-12) were complainers. They saw problems but did nothing. Their grumbling led to their downfall.

Some people make everything about themselves. They get stuck in self-pity, blaming circumstances or others for their struggles. They wait for things to change instead of taking action. But others take responsibility. Like the gardener in the parable, they believe things can change, so they act. They nurture. They work. They make a difference.

The gardener in the parable isn’t passive. He doesn’t just ask for more time. He takes responsibility. He believes the tree can change, so he acts. He nurtures. He works. He is an influencer, someone who steps in and makes a difference.

Are we like him? Or are we just pointing out what’s wrong, doing nothing to make things better?

In his homily, Fr Dominic, reminded us that to bear fruit, we need more than effort. We need God. Look at Moses. He wasn’t born a leader. He was just a shepherd in the wilderness until he encountered God in the burning bush. That moment changed everything. (Exodus 3:1-12)

We need that kind of encounter. Not just routine prayers or empty rituals, but a real experience of God’s presence. When that happens, we change. And when we change, we can help others do the same.

Jesus is clear. We are meant to bear good fruit. So what do our words and actions show? Do we bring people closer to God? Do we spread kindness, patience, and mercy? Or are we stuck in anger, gossip, and selfishness?

If the fruit isn’t good, we don’t ignore it. We repent. We turn back. And we start again.

The gardener didn’t just delay the decision. He committed to action. He dug around the tree. He fertilised it. He gave it what it needed to grow. Because real change takes work.

God is giving us time, but not forever. One day, the opportunity to change will be gone. One day, our time here will end.

So what are we doing with the time we have?

Are we bearing fruit? Are we lifting others up? Are we living in a way that brings life?

The choice is ours. (BV)