Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord. — Psalm 122:1

Mass Readings: Ephesians 4:7-16 / Luke 13:1-9 

Hold On 

The man in today’s Gospel who wanted to cut down the unproductive fig tree would fit in well in today’s culture. We’re a people who want results. As any professional athlete will tell you, “produce now, or get cut tomorrow.” 

But the last part of the parable shows God’s compassion toward us in this regard. It’s a compassion I hope I can show others who don’t seem to be bearing spiritual fruit. I teach eighth-grade religious education in my parish. There are nights when I wonder if some of those young people will ever bear fruit. But thanks be to God that my own eighth-grade teacher didn’t cut me off from receiving instruction. It’s only taken 20-plus years to finally see some fruit! 

Prayer: Compassionate Savior, help me be patient with others.