One More Year

Gospel: Luke 13: 1-9

Human behavior is always inconsistent and inconstant.  Consider the patience with which we have for the sports teams to which we have pledged our fealty.  Each new year brings new hope from us that they will win a championship this year.  Despite no past results or any empirical evidence to instill such confidence, we have this undying devotion to our hired mercenaries, ever ready to hand over our hard earned money for season tickets, merchandize, and new sports stadia.  

But consider how we regard other human beings.  We are so very quick to declare hopeless other humans for whom we have disdain.  We cast entire populations of people into exterior darkness of our enmity because they are different from us in one way or another.  We see the slow child in school as without potential and neglect their needs.  We are quick to move on from someone who tests our patience or who needs more than we are willing to give.  

Now consider the parable of the fig tree.  Here is a farmer - Jesus - who continually says to God: give me one more year with this person.  I'll provide them with healing and nourishment, love and attention.  I'm convinced they will grow into people of love and mercy, compassion and care.  Just one more year.  How different Jesus is from us! How inconsistent we are within ourselves! Perhaps if we had the patience and care for others we have for our athletic squads we might be closer to the people Jesus calls us to be.