Responding to God’s call for renewal and purpose
As we journey through the sacred season of Lent, walking spiritually with Christ on the Way of the Cross, we are invited into a deeply personal encounter—one that challenges us to carry our own crosses while seeking true transformation. In a powerful reflection during today’s Way of the Cross, our Parish Priest, Fr. James Patrick Jjumba, reminded us of God’s patience, mercy, and expectation: that our lives must bear fruit.
The Parable of the Fig Tree: A Mirror of Our Lives
Drawing from Gospel of Luke (Luke 13:6–9), we encounter a striking image. A landowner, frustrated after three years of seeking fruit from a fig tree without success, decides it should be cut down. To him, it is wasting space—unproductive and purposeless.
But then comes the gardener.
He pleads for the tree: “Give it another year.” He commits to nurturing it—digging around it, fertilizing it, giving it every possible chance to finally bear fruit.
This gardener is none other than Jesus Christ—our mediator, our advocate—who continually intercedes for us before God.
A God of More Than Second Chances
This parable is not just about a tree. It is about us.
God, in His infinite mercy, is not a God of just second chances—He gives us countless opportunities to return to Him. Each day, each season, especially this Lenten period, is another chance to grow, to change, and to bear fruit.
We are now four weeks into Lent, entering the fifth. This is a critical moment of reflection:
- Have we grown spiritually?
- Are we making efforts to return to God?
- Have we mended broken relationships?
- Are we becoming better disciples?
Or are we still the same—full of leaves, but without fruit?
Leaves vs. Fruits: The True Measure of Faith
It is easy to display outward signs of faith—what the priest referred to as “leaves.” We may wear rosaries, attend church regularly, and participate in religious activities.
But the deeper question remains: Are there fruits?
True Christian fruit is seen in:
- Joy
- Patience
- Forgiveness
- Self-control
- Repentance
- Love and reconciliation
These are the visible signs of a life transformed by Christ.
The Fertilizers of the Spirit
Just like the gardener tends to the tree, God is actively working in our lives. He nourishes us with spiritual “fertilizers,” including:
- Prayer
- Fasting
- Listening to the Word of God
- The Sacraments
These are not just rituals—they are divine tools meant to help us grow and bear fruit.
But growth requires cooperation. Grace is freely given, but we must respond to it.
A Wake-Up Call: Repent or Perish
The message is clear and urgent:
“Bear fruit or be cut down.”
This is not a message of fear, but of love. Christ does not desire that any of us perish. Instead, He tirelessly intercedes for us, asking for more time, more grace, more opportunity.
Yet, time is not infinite. The call to repentance is now.
Choosing Transformation
As Lent progresses, we are encouraged to:
- Let go of sin and harmful attachments
- Detach from what separates us from God
- Reattach ourselves fully to Christ
- Embrace renewal and spiritual growth
This is our moment to change direction—to truly live.
Conclusion: The Time Is Now
God has given us another chance—today.
The question remains: Will we bear fruit?
Let us pray for the strength, determination, and openness to embrace God’s grace. May we use the remaining days of Lent wisely, so that by its end, we are not the same—but renewed, transformed, and fruitful in the Kingdom of God.
“Are there fruits… or still leaves?”
