No Day but Today

Believing that they (Jesus’ listeners) had already responded to God’s call, they “shut the door” and were content that they had done enough. In their contentment, they cast a critical eye on those around them, whom they thought had not yet “arrived”. After all, they reasoned, if misfortune had come to those Galileans killed by Pilate, and to the eighteen killed in Siloam, God must have allowed it because they were so sinful. Without correcting the popular, but erroneous notion, that tragedy was a deserved punishment for sin, Jesus warned his listeners against comparing themselves with others, and of growing lax concerning their own need for reform. Rather than interpret their own escape from personal tragedy as a divine comment on their perfection, Jesus suggested that their time and energies would be better spent in preparing to meet their Maker.

Jesus clarified his point through the parable of the fig tree. A well-known symbol for Israel (see Hosea 9:10; Micah 7:1; Jeremiah 8:13, 24:1-10), the fig tree provided both fruit and shade for humanity, and a place for birds to nest. After planting, the fig tree was expected to produce fruit after three years; if it did not, it was cut down and replaced with another. In Jesus’ parable the vinedresser gave the barren tree another year and extra care in order that it might produce fruit. Through this parable, Jesus implied that the divine vinedresser was about to come in search of fruit in Israel. Would there be any to be found? Like the tree left for yet another year to grow, Israel had been blessed with many chances and opportunities for conversion. Those who chose to ignore these would find themselves liable to the same fate as the barren fig tree.

Contemporary Christians, still awaiting Jesus’ return, might appreciate this parable as an impetus toward growth and conversion. A special season of growth, the six weeks of Lent provide an annual opportunity for turning again to God and in that turning to bear fruit in faithful service. Indeed Lent is such an important opportunity that one spiritual director once said, “A Lent missed is a year lost from the spiritual life.” However the fact remains that this could be the last Lent or even the last day we spend on earth. Because tomorrow may never come, the gift, which is today, must be used as well and as wisely as possible.

Based on: http://www.nationalcatholicreporter.org/sanchez/locked/cyclec/lentc/lent398c.htm