THE GOSPEL
Luke 13:1-9There was once a person who had a fig tree planted in his orchard …
Jesus,
kind and patient,
gardener
of souls:
when we are barren like your fig tree,
(with unjust war, racial bias,
destruction of our
climate),
you don’t give
up on us.
Soak
our roots.
Make them
heavy with your love.
And,
Please, pour
your grace upon us
like water on parched land
until we bear fruit.
THE FIRST READING
Exodus 3:1-8a, 13-15
God called out to him from the bush, “Moses! Moses!”
He answered, “Here I am.”
God
of our fathers,
you have beckoned us,
and have never pushed us away.
Our lands can flow with milk and honey!
Chance upon chance you give us,
grace upon grace.
And then you gently stand by,
awaiting our words.
“Here I am!”
Help us to taste your saving love
and come running to you
on this holy
ground.
THE SECOND READING
1 Corinthians 10:1-6, 10-12
The life of the people with Moses in the desert
was written down as a warning to us.
Holy Spirit,
give us one more span of days.
Please stretch our
hearts open in
them.
Let your patient grace
come to life in
us.