Reflection:

The parable of the barren fig tree in this week’s gospel speaks of able-bodied individuals who seem to live only for themselves taking, but never sharing, any of the blessings they receive.  In Jn 15:16, our Lord reminds us, “I have chosen you to go forth and bear fruit. My Father is glorified in your bearing much fruit.” 

Indeed God expects fruitfulness and good results from us.  God has given us everything, blessed us with so many good things, even molded us into His image and likeness.  But what will He see when He comes to look into our lives?  Will He reap a rich harvest from us?  Will we bear the good fruits expected from us?

Our theme for the 3rd Sunday of Lent states: We reform our ways and bear fruit when we please God with our actions.  Indeed, we can only please and glorify God by being fruitful.  The opposite – lack of fruitfulness – suggests unbelief, unfaithfulness and ingratitude to our Creator.

As we go deeper into the season of Lent, let us examine whether Jesus can still be seen in us, after having been in community for many years.  Can we face the Lord today and honestly claim that His light is still reflected in us?  Are we striving to lead others to Jesus?  Is our lifestyle a living testimony to others of our faith? When He looks into our hearts, will Jesus see goodness and sincerity in our hearts? Have we tried in all honesty, to produce fruits of goodness, so that His name may be glorified in our works?  Will He be pleased with us?

As children of the light, have we cast away darkness to follow only the ways of the Lord?  Yes, brothers and sisters, following the way of the Lord and no other is a command, not an option.  For He is our Creator, we are His creation. In Him alone do we truly live, and move, and have our being. Without Him, we are nothing.  Our time here on earth is brief, numbered, and fleeing. Let us resolve to remain faithful to what we have received and heard and seen, and learn to detach ourselves from this transient world, for with or without us, life on earth will go on.  Instead, let us aspire for a place in our permanent home in heaven with our God.

Lent is the perfect time to seek reconciliation with God and neighbor.  But we can never be reconciled with God unless we are able to soften our hearts and forgive and love one another, for as Scripture rightly tells us, we cannot love a God we cannot see, if we cannot love the neighbor whom we can see.  We can make full use of our community resources to find avenues for spiritual growth and fruitfulness in God’s eyes.  We just have to be sensitive to the leadings of the Holy Spirit.

With all our strength, let us offer our commitment and covenant to God — that we may bless Him, serve Him in His chosen people, and live by His word all of our lives. Then we can claim His promise for the week: “I have come down to rescue them … and lead them …into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey.” (Ex 3:8)

Prayer
Dear Lord, may everything I do, all my words and actions be done only to please You and glorify Your Holy Name. Amen

Reflection Questions:
1.    What aspects of my attitudes and behavior should I change to please the Lord?

2.    How seriously do I take Jesus’ commandment to forgive and to love my neighbor as myself?

This Week’s Daily Mass Reading Guide:
March 3, 2013 (Sun)        Ex 3:1-8,13-15/Ps 103:1-4,6-8,11/1Cor 10:1-6,10-12/Lk 13:1-9
March 4, 2013 (Mon)        2Kgs 5:1-15/Ps 42:2, 3, 43:3, 4/Lk 4:24-30
March 5, 2013 (Tues)       Dn 3:25, 34-43/Ps 25:4-9/Mt 18:21-35
March 6, 2013 (Wed)       Dt 4:1, 5-9/Ps 147:12, 13, 1516, 19, 20/Mt 5:17-19
March 7, 2013 (Thur)       Jer 7:23-28/Ps 95:1,2,6,7,8,9/Lk 11:14-23
March 8, 2013 (Fri)          Hos 14:2-10/Ps 81:6-8,910,11,14,17/Mk 12:28-34
March 9, 2013 (Sat)        Hos 6:1-6/Ps 51:3,4,18,19,20,21/ Lk 18:9-14

“Ignorance of the Bible is ignorance of Christ.  Read your Bible daily!”

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