At that very time there were some present who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. He asked them, “Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were worse sinners than all other Galileans? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as they did. Or those eighteen who were killed when the tower of Siloam fell on them—do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others living in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish just as they did.”

Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and found none. So he said to the gardener, ‘See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none. Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?’ He replied, ‘Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig around it and put manure on it. If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’”

New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.

We've all experienced it. We pray, we work, we try our best, and yet nothing seems to change.  In our Gospel the gardener doesn't simply ask for more time. He doesn't give up on the fig tree, but neither does he ignore its failure to produce fruit. He offers to cultivate the soil and fertilize the tree. He recognizes that it needs attention.

When our efforts don't seem to produce results, perseverance doesn't necessarily mean continuing to do exactly what we've always done. Sometimes it means changing our approach, giving something else more attention, always seeking God's guidance. May we remain open to changing our path when that is what is needed.

Jesus never tells us whether the fig tree eventually produces fruit. We don't persevere because we are certain things will turn out as we want. We persevere because we trust that God can bring about good even when we cannot see it.

—Jim Bozik is a permanent deacon and Associate for Pastoral Ministry at St. Peter Catholic Church, the Jesuit church in the Diocese of Charlotte, NC.

The night is dark, and I am far from home.
Direct my feet; I do not ask to see the distant scene;
One step enough for me.
So lead me onward, Lord, and hear my plea.

Lead, kindly light, amid the gloom of the evening.
Lord, lead me on!  Lord, lead me on!
On through the night!  On to your radiance!
Lead, kindly light, Lead, kindly light. 

—Lyrics from “Lead, Kindly Light” by St. John Henry Newman