Saturday of week 29 in Ordinary Time
Saturday memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Gospel Luke 13:1-9
“leave it one more year and give me time to dig round it and manure it: it may bear fruit next year; if not, then you can cut it down.” There is always a possibility to repent. We must not be haste in judging ourselves or anyone else. This patience with ourselves and with others is very decisive. It’s not a passive patience but an active patience like this man who is going to dig round the tree and manure it. The gardener’s plea to give the tree more time—along with extra care—demonstrates an active patience. He does not simply wait; he intervenes with the intention of promoting growth and transformation. This can serve as a metaphor for God’s patience with humanity and for how we might approach ourselves and others when growth or change seems slow. Just as the gardener nurtures the tree with hope for future fruit, we too are called to foster growth, both in ourselves and in others, through intentional actions like self-reflection, forgiveness, and encouragement. This form of patience is not passive resignation, but rather, an active commitment to creating conditions for growth, change, and ultimately, bearing fruit. It emphasizes the importance of mercy, reminding us that with time, care, and effort, people can change and bear the fruit of good deeds, even when it seems unlikely at first. Let’s reflect: How much active patience I have with myself and with others?
Don Giorgio