'Sir, let it alone this year.' Sunday Reflections, 3rd Sunday of Lent, Year C

 

Moses removing his sandals (detail)

Byzantine Mosaic Artist [Web Gallery of Art]

Then [the Lord] said, ‘Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground (Exodus 3:5; First Reading).

Readings (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan,)

Readings (English Standard Version, Catholic Edition: England & Wales, India, Scotland) 

Readings (New American Bible: Philippines, USA)

Gospel Luke 13:1-9 (English Standard Version, Anglicised)

There were some present at that very time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And he answered them, ‘Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered in this way? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.’

And he told this parable: ‘A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. And he said to the vine dresser, “Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?” And he answered him, “Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig round it and put on manure. Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.” ’

Léachtaí i nGaeilge

         

Month of September or Parable of the Fig Tree

Abel Grimmer [Web Gallery of Art]

A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none (Luke 13:6; Gospel).

More than 40 years ago  a friend brought me to visit a widow in her 80s in Long Island, New York. I was spending a month working in a nearby parish. I remember clearly that the woman, whom I never met again, was feisty and we had lively discussions on a number of matters, expressing different views but with good humour and respect.

But what I remember most clearly was that when I put something on top of her Bible on the sideboard she very gently but very clearly and firmly pointed out to me that that book was God's word and should be treated with the greatest respect. My friend was saying the equivalent of For the place on which you are standing is holy ground.

Continue at Bangor to Bobbio.