March 20.  Sunday Lent 3C. If it bears fruit next year well and good, but if not, you can cut it down. Fr Oliver reminded the congregation, “We’re nearing the end of the summer and autumn season and we have seen how parts of Africa have had major climatic disasters with cyclones killing hundreds, displacing thousands, causing floods and destroying homes and even whole villages.  In other parts drought still exists that will lead to famine in the months to come. Wars and conflicts contribute, but the natural disasters have highlighted how nature has been harmed by our human activity.  To what extent have we been responsible for the devastation in God’s great garden and how can we begin to act more responsibly to protect all life and biodiversity?  We are a continent of farmers and market gardeners and as we reflect on God as a merciful gardener, caring for his fruit trees at the same time let us not test his patience.            

Reflect, share and act. Scripture: Let me dig about the fig tree and put on manure. If it bears fruit next year well and good, but if not, you can cut it down. Luke 13:1-9. Pope Francis:  God’s patience does not simply have to do with enduring all things. We encounter problems when we think that relationships or people ought to be perfect, or when we put ourselves at the centre and expect things to turn out our way.   AL 91-92.     SA Youth Responsibilities Bill 10.   My responsibility in ensuring the right to live in a safe environment expects me to promote sustainable development and the conservation and preservation of the natural environment.  Choose an act of love and sacrifice from the list, also published at www.marfam.org.za/lent