Cultivate the ground around it and fertilize it

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : 29th Week :  Saturday*

*Gospel : Lk 13:1-9*

*First Reading : Eph 4:7-16*

*Cultivate the ground around it and fertilize it*

*1) Failure of the Fig tree to bear the Fruit*

The Gospel of the day, speaks about a fig tree, which failed to bear any fruit 

So, it was adviced by the owner to cut it down, since it was a burden for the mud 

But the Gardener requested the owner to give one more year, so that he could *cultivate the ground around it and fertilize it*

This may help the tree to bear fruit 

*2) Our life is like a fig tree*

God is the owner of the tree. 

We are Gardners of our life, which is equal to a fig tree. 

God comes in search of the fruit. If we fail to produce any fruit, we will be cut down. 

Still one more possibility/opportunity is given to us 

So we need to *cultivate the ground around our life and fertilize it*

This may help us to bear fruit 

*3) Cultivating ground it and Fertilizing it*

Our life has variety of things which need to cultivate and fertilize it, in order to produce fruit. 

This could be understood in the following way 

*Mind* Cultivate and furtilze the mind with good thoughts, goals and good things 

*Heart* Cultivate the heart and furtilize it with Good feeling, feeling of unconditional love 

*Eyes* One need to cultivate and fertilize it with seeing good things and thanking God

*Ears* One need to take special efforts to cultivate and fertilize the area around the eras by hearing good things and avoiding the gossip

*Hands* Cultivate your hands and fertilize it to use it for helping, for serving, for giving, and for doing only good things 

*Legs* Cultivate and fertilize your legs, so that it may help you to do the greater things for the Glory of God

Apart from the area around our life, there is also other areas we need to cultivate and fertilize. These areas may be following

House and Family 

Work place 

Temple and worship places 

Meeting places 

Neighborhood

Society where I live 

*4) Am I ready to cultivate and Fertilize my life?*

This particular process only I can do it for my life 

If only I am ready to work I can get some fruits in my life. If not, I will not be able to produce any fruits 

In such situation, when the given time is up, I will be cut down. 

What can I do to produce more fruits in my life?? 

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*