February 28, 2016 - Third Sunday of Lent:
Collect Prayer:
“O God, author of every mercy and of all goodness,
who in fasting, prayer and almsgiving
have shown us a remedy for sin,
look graciously on this confession of our lowliness,
that we, who are bowed down by our conscience,
may always be lifted up by your mercy.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.”
Scripture readings and reflections for today:
www.ewtn.com/faith/lent/M7.htm
usccb.org/bible/reflections/
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php
www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2016-02-28
Sharing this reflection from the
Euchalette, 02-28-2016, p.4:
THE CALL TO PRODUCE ABUNDANT FRUIT
"Fig trees planted in vineyards receive preferential treatment – well-tilled soil, good manure, protection from vandals and animals. If for one year they do not bear fruit, they are without excuse. The decision of the owner of the vineyard in the Gospel to have the barren fig tree cut down is more than justified. Its performance had definitely been disappointing. (See Lk 13:7.)
But barrenness is not a defect that can be found only in trees. It can also be found in people. Spiritual and moral barrenness means the absence of those dispositions and actions which God has a right to expect from us. In spite of the much care and love we have received from Him, our response is often disappointing.
In most cases, it is not a matter of laziness. We are very active. We do many things. We may even give the impression that we are achieving a lot . . . . Many of our actions, however, are just like pompous leaves which suck most of our vital energies. We are constantly in danger of forgetting that what matters is not how many things we do, but rather, WHAT we do, HOW and WHY we do it. We are expected to bear fruits of holiness by doing our duty to the best of our ability and out of love for God.
The Lord, of course, is usually patient. But His patience should not be taken to mean that He is either indifferent to what we do, or that He has become unable to check our misbehavior. It simply means that, in His love, and thanks to the intercession of Jesus, He gives us another chance. But a day will come when we will have to account even for these additional signs of love.
These are days of grace; days for an honest evaluation of our performance in the light of God’s generosity and of His expectation. If we discover that our life is so full of “leaves” but lacks the fruits of piety, gratitude, honesty, generosity, purity, sense of responsibility, faith, hope, love . . . we have only one thing to do: UNDERGO CONVERSION and REFORM. In the first part of today’s Gospel, Jesus uses this word twice, both as an exhortation and as a warning. (See vv. 3 and 5.)
But he does more than just exhort and warn us. Not only does he give the warning and intercede for us with the Father, but he also offers us his help to rid us from our barrenness. His teaching, his example, his grace will produce the miracle, if only we allow him to work in us and cooperate with him.
This might be our last chance to finally start producing the long-awaited fruits which will delight our divine Master. They will delight our very selves in the first place." (
(Euchalette,02-28-2016, p.4)