October 26.  Patience  and tolerance.  Every year from the end of winter and the beginning of spring gardeners go out in force, pruning, digging up, tidying, replanting and fertilising and then patiently wait to see how fruitful their efforts have been and whether their garden will win a prize or bear the best fruit. Severe weather, a hail storm, snow or severe drought could threaten it all but nevertheless we keep hoping and trying.  How long can patience hold out?  Jesus said: God is like a gardener who will spend time and care on his fruit trees; however is there a limit to his patience and effort?  Are we not warned constantly of the urgency of addressing climate change, and are we responding?     

Reflect, share, act. Scripture: Cut the fig tree down. Why should it use up the ground? And the gardener replied, ”Let it alone, sir this year also, till I dig about 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:  The Creator does not abandon us; he never forsakes his loving plan or repents of having created.  Humanity still has the ability to work together in building our common home.  LS13. Patience takes root when I recognise that other people also have a right to live in this world, just as they are.  It does not matter if they hold me back, unsettle my plans or annoy me by the way they act or think.  AL 92.   Action and Prayer.  Are patience and tolerance virtues I need to nurture. Pray: Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, and kindle in us the fire of your love, so that walking together we may renew the face of the earth.