Gardener –
You teach us that our suffering does not mean we are worse sinners or worse offenders. May we graciously remember those whose blood is spilled and those upon whom towers fall.
Forgive us when we desire to cut down the fig trees upon which we find no fruit. Forgive us when we want to cut down those we perceive as wasting the soil.
May we hear Your tender words – “Let it alone for one more year, until I dig around it and put manure on it.”
Dig around our lives and put manure on them. Touch our soil, and lead us to repentance and fruit.
Amen.
(The Third Sunday in Lent is March 20.)