The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/102514.cfm) reminds me that God is a God of second chances
The first time to do something is always challenging. We do not know what to expect. We do not know a lot of things. That is why we feel better and more comfortable the second time we do things. This is probably why in the gospel, we see Jesus as the gardener who asks God for a second chance for us, the tree not bearing fruit, before cutting us down.
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.’”
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.’”
In the parable, the gardener will not just ask for another chance and then do nothing, expecting the tree to bear fruit on its own. He will do whatever he can, fertilize the soil, water the tree, etc, to make a better environment for the tree. He will do everything in his capacity to help the tree. The only thing he cannot do is bear fruit for the tree. That’s the part of the tree already.
Jesus gives us second chances to do things right.
God gives us opportunities to bear fruit and do things right. He gives us opportunities to grow in Him. He gives us people to guide and inspire us. He gave us the Church and the sacraments to help us grow in our faith. He gives us all that we need to grow in him and bear good fruit. But ultimately, it is our choice if we will allow Him to get through us. It is our choice to bear fruit for God and make the most out of the opportunities and second chances he gives us.
May we be willing to cooperate with Jesus and allow him to change and improve us so we can bear fruit.
Father God,
Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another weekend. Thank you for all the opportunities you give me to grow and change. Thank you for not giving up on me. Lord, help me make the most of these opportunities. Help me cooperate with you and allow you to change me, to mold me, to improve me and to strengthen me, so my life can bear good fruit for your kingdom. Amen.
Blessed weekend!
In Christ,
-g-
Ps
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