With the parable of the fruitless fig tree, the Lord shows us how far beyond our understanding is the way God sees. We humans give deadlines: cut it down now! But God gives extensions: leave it for another year more. We humans see waste: why should exhaust the soil? But the Lord sees possibilities: there may be fruit next year. When all we can think of is destruction, God comes with the offer of His compassion.

This Lent, let us open ourselves to a new experience. Let us allow God to give us the chance to change, to grow, and to blossom. And after feeling the healing effect of God’s compassion, let us allow ourselves to think and feel like how He does for the people around us, with great compassion and understanding.

But how will change happen to us? If change is to happen, it must come from a deeper source, one that flows from beyond our own efforts. God Himself must initiate the change. Like Jesus, we will truly experience real change within us if we plunge into the realm of prayer. This Lenten season reminds us that without prayer, we cannot hope to find ourselves delivered from our old ways and into a new existence.

Let us explore prayer again. This 3rd Sunday of Lent, let us pray for a renewal of love, service and relationship with God. Let us also pray for our seminarians, and for vocation within the family. May your homes really be seedbeds of vocation, that we can truly have many more priests available for the Church. We need to help each other, protect each other and love each other, because that is what Jesus would have us all do.

Sempre grato,
Father Erick

(For the 3rd Sunday of Lent)