A reading from the gospel according to Luke 13:1-9
1 Some people told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with the blood of their sacrifices.
2 He said to them in reply, “Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were greater sinners than all other Galileans?
3 By no means! But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did!
4 Or those eighteen people who were killed when the tower at Siloam fell on them – do you think they were more guilty than everyone else who lived in Jerusalem?
5 By no means! But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did!”
6 And he told them this parable: “There once was a person who had a fig tree planted in his orchard, and when he came in search of fruit on it but found none,
7 he said to the gardener, ‘For three years now I have come in search of fruit on this fig tree but have found none. So cut it down. Why should it exhaust the soil?’
8 He said to him in reply, ‘Sir, leave it for this year also, and I shall cultivate the ground around it and fertilize it;
9 it may bear fruit in the future. If not you can cut it down.’”
Reflection: Another Chance
The first part of the gospel reading above speaks about the urgency of repentance. During the time of Jesus, the people thought that a person must have committed a great sin when he or she meets an accident or any tragedy for that matter including blindness (John 9:2). That is why in the story about the massacre victims of ruthless Pilate, Jesus at once shot down the idea that they were more sinful than those accompanying Jesus at that moment.
In our time, we hear a lot of people who die due to natural or man-made calamities such as war and terrorist attacks. Until now some people think that they deserved such fate because of their sins. The scripture is very emphatic that all of us are sinners (Romans 3:23) and therefore all of us deserve to perish. Yet Jesus offers us a way out – repentance.
The second part tells us about the parable of the fruitless fig tree. It deserved to be cut down but it has been given another chance due to the intercession of the gardener. God is indeed merciful. We all deserve to perish but He gives us time to repent for our sins. However let us not abuse the mercy of our good Father. Why wait to repent later when we can do it now? This is the urgency of the message of the gospel. Repent now or we perish.
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God has created man for a purpose and that is, to know and to love Him forever. He has planted in us the seed of goodness and love. He has provided us the means to grow and develop as adults. He has given us three important gifts (time, talent and treasure) to use to serve Him and our fellowmen. The question for every one of us now is how we use those gifts.
If we do not use our God-given time, talent and treasure for His glory and instead we make use of them to displease Him by sinning, we deserve nothing less than eternal death. We are like the fig tree. If we do not bear fruit, we are useless and it is much better for us to be cut down. “The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.” (Matthew 3:10)
We may look at others and be contented that our sin is much lighter than theirs. That will not help. The mere fact that we commit sin, we deserve to be punished. Yet our God is very patient with us. He loves us so much that He gives us not just one or two but many chances to repent and be renewed. He keeps on waiting for us to come back to Him every time we go away. But let us not test His patience. The time to repent is now, not later.
Let us glorify Him by using our gifts of time, talent and treasure to serve others. Let us thank God for His patience with us. Let us thank Him for giving us another chance.
“If you do not repent, you will perish.” These are strong words of warning from Jesus. Let us listen to Him and repent while there is still time.
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Jesus addresses two troubling incidents: the massacre of Galileans by Pilate and the collapse of the tower of Siloam, which killed 18 people. In response to questions about these tragedies, Jesus emphasizes that the victims were not more sinful than others, refuting the idea that suffering is always a direct punishment for sin. He calls everyone to repentance, using a parable of a fig tree that bears no fruit as a vivid illustration of God’s patience and mercy.
The central message of this passage is the call to repentance and transformation. Often, we question why bad things happen, and we may wonder if God is punishing people for their wrongdoings. Jesus, however, shifts the focus from judgment on others to our own hearts, urging us to use our time wisely to draw closer to God.
The parable of the barren fig tree (Luke 13:6-9) is a powerful metaphor for our lives. The fig tree had plenty of time to bear fruit, but it remained barren. The owner of the vineyard was ready to cut it down, but the gardener, representing God’s mercy, asked for more time to nurture it, in hopes that it would bear fruit.
This speaks to the grace and patience God extends to us. Like the fig tree, we may have seasons where we are not as fruitful as we could be — whether in our spiritual lives, in relationships, or in our work for God’s kingdom. Instead of condemning us, God offers us time and opportunities to change. But this time should not be taken for granted. The message is clear: while God is patient, we are called to bear fruit, to live lives that reflect His love, goodness, and purpose.
To bear fruit means to live in a way that brings glory to God. The fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control are qualities that reflect God’s work in our hearts. Jesus’ call to repentance is not just about turning away from sin but also about turning toward a life that manifests these fruits. This is the life we are called to live as Christians.
How can we nurture this fruit in our lives? The gardener in the parable asks for time to fertilize and care for the tree, which mirrors the way God works in us. Through prayer, reading Scripture, and staying connected to the body of Christ, we open ourselves to His transforming power. Repentance isn’t just a one-time act; it’s a lifestyle of continually turning toward God, seeking His will, and allowing Him to shape us.
Jesus concludes with an urgent reminder that we cannot delay repentance. The tragedies mentioned in the passage remind us of the uncertainty of life. While we cannot control the timing or nature of life’s hardships, we can ensure that our hearts are right with God.
The gospel reading above challenges us to focus on our own spiritual growth, to repent, and to cultivate a fruitful life that honors God. In His grace, God gives us time and opportunity to change. Let us not waste it, but instead seek to live lives that reflect His love and truth.
