As I was thinking about what story to use for today’s sermon, something came to my mind. I remember when I was a child, growing up in Mexico City, we had many shops and services that I do not see today in our neighborhoods. Or at least, they are becoming extinct at a tremendous speed.
We had the shoe repair shop, (cobbler), watch repair shop, the furniture repair shops, (upholstery shops), alterations shops for clothes, appliance repair shops… But today we live in a world that encourages us to throw things away rather than repair them. Smartphones have sealed batteries, clothes wear out quickly, and appliances are made to break. All of these reflect a culture that prioritizes replacement over restoration.
Companies design products so they won’t last long, and repairs often cost more than buying something new. A microwave might cost $50, but fixing it could cost $100 in parts and labor.
Not long ago, people mended/repaired their shows, patched their clothes and kept their furniture for years. Now convenience has taken over and we’re used to replacing things instead of appreciating and valuing them. Today, convenience has replaced craftmanship, and disposability has become the norm.
But choosing to repair instead of replace isn’t just about saving money. it’s about appreciating what we have, and pushing back against a culture that tells us that nothing lasts and that everything is temporary.
And sometimes, what seems broken or worthless in our eyes just may need a second chance.
In the gospel that we heard today, Jesus is responding to those around Him who are searching for meaning in the tragedies of their day. Some in the crowd have brought up the Galileans who Pilate killed. Others are troubled by the collapse of a tower in Siloam. They want answers. They want to know what these things have happened. Were these people worse sinners than others?
Jesus does not give them the answer they expect. Instead, He turns their question back on 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.” Jesus refused to allow them to focus on the sins of others, and He calls them to examine their own hearts, their own need for repentance and renewal.
Repentance isn’t just about feeling sorry for our mistakes. True repentance means real transformation. It means changing direction, shifting our mindset, and allowing that change to shape our actions. And it is also about second chances.
During Lent, during this liturgical season, we are invited to reflect on the ways we need to change and grow, to turn away from what is unfruitful in our lives and embrace a new way of living. A new way that is about renewal and restoration in our lives.
As Jesus encourages his followers to repent, he tells a parable about a fig tree that has not produced fruit for three years. In the parable, the owner of the fig tree is ready to cut it down because it hasn’t borne fruit. But the gardener intervenes, asking for one more year4, a little more time, a little more care, to see if the tree can become fruitful. In a way, this tree is getting a second chance.
And this is the good news! This is the way of God who is merciful God always offers us a second chance.
We all love stories of second chances. They give us hope. But the second chance God offers isn’t just about trying harder or fixing our mistakes through pure or absolute willpower. Like the fig tree, sometimes we cannot work our way out of barrenness, emptiness or unfruitfulness on our own.
Beginning again is first and foremost an act of God’s grace. It’s about allowing God, through the Holy Spirit, to work in us. It’s about recognizing that we are co-creators with God, that we participate in the divine work of bringing life, growth, and transformation.
Loving those who mistreat us is not something we can do on our own. We need God’s help. We can take a first step by praying for hose who hurt us, for those who make our lives difficult, for those who misunderstand or exclude us. That small step is an act of co-creation with God. it is allowing God to work in and with ourselves. it is allowing God to work with our barrenness, emptiness or unfruitfulness.
Can you remember moments when barrenness was part of your life? Moments when you felt unproductive, discouraged or distant from y6our purpose? Do you have unfinished projects? Plans that you abandoned? Plans related to your own vocation? What about family relationships? Are there relationships that need care and attention? Have we done everything possible within our reach to make sure our friends, families, kinds or partners thrive and flourish?
At a certain point we have to ask ourselves what is this project, relationship or job producing our lives? Is it bearing fruit? If not, it may require a little extra time, extra care and extra attention.
The parable of the fig tree is an invitation to consider the fight of another year of life, another opportunity to thrive and grow.
So I am wondering, as you reflect on areas of your life that might need a little more attention, what would you prioritize? How would you give it that extra time and attention so that it may one day bear fruit in your life and in the lives of others?
Each day is a gift. God is giving us the time, nourishment and grace we need to grow nad become fruitful.
The good news of today’s Gospel is the failures of our past do not define us. With God’s help there is always the possibility of something new. There is always grace for another season, another chance, and other opportunity to bear fruit.
So my prayer for today is we embrace the second chances God offers us. May we extend that same grace to to others and adopt the wisdom of the gardener in our lives. And may we trust that with God’s love and care even the most barren places can be abundant with new life. AMEN
The Rev. Alfredo Feregrino