Luke 13:1-9

Some people told Jesus about the Galileans
whose blood Pilate had mingled with the blood of their sacrifices.
Jesus 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.'”

Let us remember we are in the holy presence of God…

Reflection by Br. Joseph Schafer, FSC

In the Gospel of Luke, we hear of the parable of the fig tree. Jesus teaches us that God is loving and does not discard us for falling short and not bearing fruit. He is patient, ever cultivating us, waiting for us to open our hearts to Him. In this season of Lent we are called to repent and reconcile with our God.

For this third Sunday, I find myself even more drawn to the first reading from the Book of Exodus 3:1-8A,13-15, and invite you to read it. In our reading from the Book of Exodus we learn about Moses and his encounter with God on the holy mountain, Horeb. He experiences God in the burning bush and learns that he has been given a mission from God.

In our daily lives we do not have a dramatic experience like Moses, but can still ask ourselves some very deep questions…

  • Where is my holy ground? Is it the chapel, church or quiet place in my room where I encounter God in prayer?
  • What is the mission that I have been given by God? Is it the students in my care; my family; or the people with whom I live?

Like Moses, let us be faithful to the mission God has given us.

Saint John Baptist de La Salle…pray for us!

Live Jesus in our hearts…forever!

A Brother for more than 50 years, Br. Joseph served as a Missionary in Ethiopia early in his teaching career. He has served mostly in New York and Rhode Island, and spent much of his service in our Lasallian Youth and Family work, at Ocean Tides, and recently serving at La Salle School for Boys in Albany. Br. Joe is the Community Director for the Christian Brothers Academy Community.