The WORD today reminds me that God gives us opportunities to repent.
The first time to do something is always challenging. Back in 2016 when it was our first time to work on an ISO certification for Business Continuity, it was very challenging, especially when creating templates and other documents. We were not sure if we were doing it right. We did not know what to expect from the external audit. We did not know a lot of things. That is why we feel better and more comfortable the second time we do things. This is what God gives us.
Jesus gives us second chances to do things right
In the gospel, we see Jesus as the gardener who asks the owner, God, for a second chance for us, the tree not bearing fruit, before cutting it down. What's interesting to note is that it was not a spur of the moment decision for the owner. The owner waited for three years for the tree to bear fruit. He was patient. And when he was about to have it cut, the gardener asked him for another chance for the tree.
It was said that fig trees at that time grew on the wild. On the streets. They did not get special treatment. So for the fig tree to be planted in the vineyard with a gardener is a very special thing. Also, 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 his part. He will give his best effort. He will do more. 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.
This is also how God deals with us.
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. He gives us basically what we need. 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.
God continuous to give us opportunities to serve him during this pandemic. We may not have answered yes during the start, but he calls us again. It’s not yet too late to serve him.
What things should I stop doing? What things should I start doing? How is God getting through to me? What opportunities and people does he use to remind me and give me opportunities to repent and change my ways? How am I responding to Him?
May we be sensitive to God's call and opportunities, and cooperate with and submit to him so he can transform us to bear fruit.
Father God,
Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for this weekend. Thank you for another chance to love and serve you. Thank you for your patience. Thank you for your great love for me. Lord, sorry for the times I ignore you and your messages and reminders. Sorry for doing things my way. I ask that you help me be sensitive to your calls and opportunities you give me to change my ways and repent. Help me have the will to do it. Help me choose you over all the pleasures of this life. As I do so, I have faith that you would transform me and enable me to bear fruits for you. May my life show you how much I love you. Amen.
Blessed Weekend!
In Christ,
-g-
Ps
See related reflections:
October 24, 2020
Saturday of Week 29; St. Anthony Mary Claret
FIRST READING
Brothers and sisters:
Grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore, it says:
He ascended on high and took prisoners captive; he gave gifts to men.
What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended into the lower regions of the earth? The one who descended is also the one who ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.
And he gave some as Apostles, others as prophets, others as evangelists, others as pastors and teachers, to equip the holy ones for the work of ministry, for building up the Body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of faith and knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood to the extent of the full stature of Christ, so that we may no longer be infants, tossed by waves and swept along by every wind of teaching arising from human trickery, from their cunning in the interests of deceitful scheming. Rather, living the truth in love, we should grow in every way into him who is the head, Christ, from whom the whole Body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, with the proper functioning of each part, brings about the Body’s growth and builds itself up in love.
Grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore, it says:
He ascended on high and took prisoners captive; he gave gifts to men.
What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended into the lower regions of the earth? The one who descended is also the one who ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.
And he gave some as Apostles, others as prophets, others as evangelists, others as pastors and teachers, to equip the holy ones for the work of ministry, for building up the Body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of faith and knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood to the extent of the full stature of Christ, so that we may no longer be infants, tossed by waves and swept along by every wind of teaching arising from human trickery, from their cunning in the interests of deceitful scheming. Rather, living the truth in love, we should grow in every way into him who is the head, Christ, from whom the whole Body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, with the proper functioning of each part, brings about the Body’s growth and builds itself up in love.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
R. (1) Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
I rejoiced because they said to me, “We will go up to the house of the LORD.” And now we have set foot within your gates, O Jerusalem.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
Jerusalem, built as a city with compact unity. To it the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
According to the decree for Israel, to give thanks to the name of the LORD. In it are set up judgment seats, seats for the house of David.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
I rejoiced because they said to me, “We will go up to the house of the LORD.” And now we have set foot within your gates, O Jerusalem.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
Jerusalem, built as a city with compact unity. To it the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
According to the decree for Israel, to give thanks to the name of the LORD. In it are set up judgment seats, seats for the house of David.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
ALLELUIA
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked man, says the Lord, but rather in his conversion that he may live.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked man, says the Lord, but rather in his conversion that he may live.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GOSPEL
Some people told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with the blood of their sacrifices. He said to them in reply, “Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were greater sinners than all other Galileans? By no means! But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did! Or those eighteen people who were killed when the tower at Siloam fell on them— do you think they were more guilty than everyone else who lived in Jerusalem? By no means! But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did!”
And he told them this parable:
“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 he told them this parable:
“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.’”
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