28th October.  Patience.  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 waiting to see how successful their efforts have been and whether their garden will win a prize or bear the best fruit.  A hail storm 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 there is a limit to his patience and effort!  Be conscious of the need to render fruit to God always. 

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. Just as good wine begins to breathe with time so too the daily experience of married life gives richness and body. Fidelity has to do with expectations and patience. AL 231. Caring for ecosystems demands far-sightedness, since no one looking for quick and easy profit is truly interested in their preservation. But the cost of the damage cause by such selfish lack of concern is much greater than the economic benefits to be obtained. LS 35.  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.