In today’s Gospel from Luke Jesus preaches the parable of the barren fig tree. The tree has borne no fruit for three years, so he tells the gardener to get rid of the tree. But the gardener tells the person that they need to put time and effort into taking care of the tree and if it doesn’t bear fruit after that, they would cut it down.
I believe that this parable given by Jesus was meant for how we should go about our relationships with one another. To be able to forgive and give time to relationships that are strained, to heal and allow the “barren tree” to bear fruits of goodness. Even if the relationship doesn’t bear fruit, we can find peace knowing that we did our best to mend the relationship. Making the sacrifice to overcome our pride to mend and heal broken relationships can be part of the suffering we endure during Lent.
As we look forward to reaching the end of Lent and beginning the joyous time of Easter, I invite you to reflect on where your relationships are not only spiritually but also with one another. As we approach Easter, we can reflect on where we can improve personally and also find healing in our relationships with others, so as to participate fully in Easter joy.
En el Evangelio de hoy de Lucas, Jesús predica la parábola de la higuera estéril. El árbol no ha dado fruto durante tres años, por lo que le dice al jardinero que se deshaga del árbol. Pero el jardinero le dice a la persona que necesita dedicar tiempo y esfuerzo a cuidar el árbol y si no da fruto después de eso, lo cortará.
Creo que esta parábola dada por Jesús tenía como objetivo cómo debemos abordar nuestras relaciones con los demás. Ser capaces de perdonar y dar tiempo a las relaciones que están tensas, sanar y permitir que el “árbol estéril” dé frutos de bondad. Incluso si la relación no da fruto, podemos encontrar paz sabiendo que hicimos lo mejor que pudimos para reparar la relación. Hacer el sacrificio de superar nuestro orgullo para reparar y sanar las relaciones rotas puede ser parte del sufrimiento que soportamos durante la Cuaresma.
Mientras anticipamos llegar al final de la Cuaresma y comenzar el tiempo alegre de la Pascua, los invito a reflexionar sobre cómo están sus relaciones no solo espiritualmente sino también entre sí. Mientras vamos acercándonos a la Pascua, podemos reflexionar sobre dónde podemos mejorar personalmente y también encontrar sanación en nuestras relaciones con los demás, para poder participar plenamente en la alegría de Pascua.
Ben Hooper is originally from Maryland, having been adopted from Korea and growing up in the Catholic faith. He went to Franciscan University to dive deeper into his faith and eventually graduated with a degree in Business Management. He loves musical theater, sports, spending time with his fiancé Lily and their dog Kolbe.
Feature Image Credit: Jonathan Borba, https://www.pexels.com/photo/black-cross-on-top-of-mountain-2917373/
The views and opinions expressed in the Inspiration Daily blog are solely those of the original authors and contributors. These views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of Diocesan, the Diocesan staff, or other contributors to this blog.
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