Lent Day 13...Day 183 (Proverbs 31; Luke 13)..."Fruitfulness or Else!'

We may read the gospels with an attitude we can be fruitful if we want to as disciples. Actually, we are called to bear fruit...or else! When we do not bear fruit we are taking up good soil in building the Kingdom. (This theme actually comes up in Matthew 25 with the parable of the talents and in Luke 15 with the vine and branches) Here is what is included in today's text...

"A man had a fig tree, planted in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it, but did not find any. He said to the man who took care of the vineyard, 'For three years now I've been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven't found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?'

" 'Sir,' the man replied, 'leave it alone for one more year, and I'll dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.' "