10/25/2025 (Saturday) Today’s Gospel reading: 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.’”

10/25/2025 (Saturday) Today’s Gospel reflection / homily / sermon: Luke 13:1-9

There are moments in life when tragedy strikes, and people immediately ask, “Why did this happen?” or “Did they deserve it?” It’s a natural human reaction to connect misfortune with guilt, as if every accident or illness must be a punishment. But in truth, not every suffering is a direct result of wrongdoing. Sometimes, pain and loss remind us of life’s fragility and our need to turn back to God. The real question is not “Why them?” but “What about me?” Am I living in a way that bears fruit in the eyes of God?

In many ways, our lives are like trees planted in a garden. Each day, we are nourished by God’s grace—through His Word, through the people who love us, and through the opportunities we receive. Yet, if we are honest, there are times when we fail to bear fruit. We get so caught up in our routines, ambitions, and distractions that we forget the true purpose of our existence: to love, to serve, and to grow in faith. Like a fruitless tree, we may appear alive outwardly but are spiritually stagnant within.

Imagine a business owner who invests in an employee—sending him to training, giving him fair pay, and offering chances for growth—but the employee keeps neglecting his duties. Eventually, patience wears thin. Yet the good employer doesn’t fire him right away. Instead, he says, “Let’s give him one more chance.” That’s how God deals with us. Despite our repeated failures, He patiently waits, nurtures, and gives us time to change. His patience is not permission to remain the same but an invitation to transformation.

Every day we wake up is a sign of that mercy. The fact that we can still breathe, work, and love means God has not given up on us. Perhaps He’s saying, “I’m giving you another season. Use it well.” We don’t know how much time we have, so each day becomes precious. The most tragic thing isn’t death or disaster—it’s wasting life without growing closer to God or helping others to know His love.

Think about a garden that’s been neglected. Weeds grow, the soil hardens, and the plants stop producing fruit. But when the gardener starts working, loosening the soil, pulling out weeds, and watering consistently, new life begins to sprout. God works the same way in our souls. He allows certain trials, disappointments, or corrections to “dig around the soil” of our hearts so that we may become fertile again. The pain of pruning is real, but it’s necessary for growth.

Modern life often tempts us to focus on performance and pleasure, leaving little room for spiritual reflection. We measure success by possessions, likes, and promotions, forgetting that God measures by love, humility, and service. A fruitful life is not about how much we achieve but how deeply we care, how sincerely we forgive, and how faithfully we follow His will. When we bear the fruit of kindness, justice, and compassion, we show that His grace is truly alive within us.

Still, the parable reminds us that patience has a limit. There comes a time when chances end, and the tree that refuses to bear fruit will be cut down. This isn’t a threat; it’s a truth about life’s impermanence. Every choice, every action, and every moment counts. So, while we have time, let’s use it to make peace, to reconcile, to serve, and to pray.

In the end, God’s message is not one of fear but of hope. He doesn’t want us to perish but to flourish. He believes we can still change, still grow, still bear fruit. And when we finally respond to His call with repentance and love, the garden of our life will bloom again, becoming beautiful, fruitful, and pleasing in His sight.

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