Sunday, March 20th 2022 | By Rev. Michael P. Hanifin
For the next three weeks, the Saint Joachim will use the Cycle A readings at Mass because of the Scrutinies for those who are entering into the Catholic Church. The Scrutinies are part of the formation process for our Catechumens and Candidates. To better accommodate the preparation of music, the parish decided to go with the Cycle A readings this year.
However, the Cycle C readings during Lent have some wonderful Scriptural offerings for our reflections. The Gospel passage for the Third Sunday of Lent (Cycle C) reminds us that life is precious and the gift of time on this earth is just that — a gift. None of us knows how much time will be granted to us, so we must use this gift intentionally to glorify God and serve our neighbor.
Jesus offered the parable of the fig tree to further illustrate this truth. The owner of the orchard came searching for fruit on a fig tree he had planted in his orchard. Finding no fruit on the tree after three years, he told the gardener to cut it down. But the gardener interceded and asked for one more year to cultivate and fertilize the tree in hopes it would bear fruit in the future. The fig tree was not dying; it simply wasn’t doing much of anything at all. Can this be said of us and our lives as well?
The season of Lent is a time to carefully reflect on the way we spend our time. Do we make God our primary concern, tending to our spiritual growth and sacramental life with diligence? Do we give the next priority to our loved ones, focusing intentionally on them each day without distractions from phones, screens, or thoughts of work? If not, now is the moment to repent of our waste of time or of misplaced priorities on our use of time. God is merciful but just. Let’s turn to Him and ask Him to make our lives fruitful while we still have time to do so.