At that very time there were some present who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. He asked them, ‘Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were worse sinners than all other Galileans? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as they did. Or those eighteen who were killed when the tower of Siloam fell on them—do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others living in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish just as they did.’ Then he told this parable: ‘A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and found none. So he said to the gardener, “See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none. Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?” He replied, “Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig round it and put manure on it. If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.” ’ Luke 13:1-9
Today is election day and a critical time in our history as a nation. Many things are worrying us, many things distracting us and too often we look for someone to blame. The truth is some situations, most people, and days like today need TLC and patient care for ourselves, and the world around us. Jesus tells the parable of the fig tree, which was failing miserably. The owner had no patience for failure, yet the gardener, the one who cared for the tree day in and day out, fought for the tree's survival. We are often quick to judgment and ready to cut the failing one's out of our way. Yet, today especially, Jesus calls us to be like the gardener who knew that all life will flourish when fed, watered and cared for lovingly.
Loving Creator, you tend this wild garden
with the hands of love in desperate times
you feed the aching world and give us life
and you restore the withered and the dying.
We rush to judgement and exact punishment
when we have failed to care for the suffering
we have failed to see the potential in others
and think our judgement is good and righteous.
Give us your humility and perfect love today
help us be willing to be like the gardener
who fought for the one demonized and failing
and be willing to dig deep and bring new life. Amen.
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