There once was a person who had a fig tree planted in his orchard, and when he came in search of fruit on it but found none, he said to the gardener, ‘For three years now I have come in search of fruit on this fig tree but have found none. So cut it down. Why should it exhaust the soil?’ He said to him in reply, ‘Sir, leave it for this year also, and I shall cultivate the ground around it and fertilize it; it may bear fruit in the future. If not you can cut it down.’ (Lk 13:6-9)
I love the agricultural parables of Jesus. Anyone who has ever planted and nurtured a garden can understand them. We have such rich soil here in Southern Louisiana that just about anything can grow. So if something in our garden isn’t growing, we’re pretty quick to remove it.
In this parable, it’s pretty clear that the owner of the orchard represents God the Father, who searches the orchard looking for good fruit. In the barren fig tree, he finds none, so he wants it cut it down so that it won’t be wasting the soil. The gardener in the parable represents Jesus who asks for another year to spend special attention to the tree before a decision is made to cut it down. We don’t have to stretch too far to see the deeper meaning behind the parable. The trees of the garden represent each of us, and the barren tree represents those people who people receive all types of gifts from the soil, but give nothing back. Those people are “wasting soil,” and should be cut down because in a sense they are already dead.
But Jesus pleads for those barren lives, and asks that they be given another chance to bear fruit. And we shouldn’t make light of the words of Jesus. He who is “kind and merciful” isn’t proposing a permanent decision not to cut the tree down. He’s proposing “another chance.” He’s interceding to give us another chance. And so each Sunday He cultivates our souls with His words of spirit and life in the Scripture, and He fertilizes our souls with His Sacred Body and Blood in the Eucharist. And He asks each of us to bear fruit.
What does it mean “to bear fruit”? Does it mean just to “be nice to people” and not to commit mortal sin? Is it just showing up for Mass, putting a dollar in the collection, receiving Communion and going home? From the parable, it appears to mean something more. It means to produce a harvest of good works. It means taking part in the corporal works of mercy (feed the hungry; give drink to the thirsty; clothe the naked; shelter the homeless; visit the sick; visit those in prison; and bury the dead) and the spiritual works of mercy (instruct the ignorant; counsel the doubtful; admonish sinners; bear wrongs patiently; forgive offences willingly; comfort the afflicted; and pray for the living and the dead).
As we prepare for our Parish Ministry Fair next weekend, consider what fruits God is calling you to bear. He’s given you another chance, another year. His Son is cultivating and fertilizing your soul. What fruit will you bear?
Rev. Msgr. Christopher H. Nalty
St. Joseph Altar
In preparation for the St. Joseph Altar on Friday, March 19, we will begin making the traditional Italian cookies. The baking will be done on Sunday, March 7 after the 10:30am Mass. For more details, please contact Hunter Harris at 417-6066.
Our parish and the St. Vincent De Paul Society are sponsoring Food Baskets for the needy for Easter. We are also working with the Volunteers of America Veterans Program to provide personal hygiene items for their clients. Please visit the “Lenten Tree” in the back of church and pick an ornament. Fill out the card attached to the ornament and bring the item to the rectory by Monday, March 29 so that baskets can be assembled! May God bless your generosity!
When is the Cross Going Up?
You know that I hear this question frequently after Mass on Sunday. It looks like we finally have a date! The cross will be placed on the steeple during the week of March 15-19. More details to follow…
St. Patrick's Day Party
The St. Patrick’s Day parade takes place on Saturday, March 13, and passes in front of Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. In keeping with a tradition, a St. Patrick’s Day party will take place in the parking lot of the church at 1253 Louisiana Avenue, and will good serve fine victuals and beverages from 11:00 am until 4:00 pm. Volunteers are asked to contact Barbara Fortier by phone at 782-3323 or email at
Please help promote parish unity!
Holy Father’s Prayer Intentions
March 2010
World Economy General: That the world economy may be managed according to the principles of justice and equity, taking into account the real needs of peoples, especially the poorest.
The Churches in Africa Missionary: That the churches in Africa may be signs and instruments of reconciliation and justice in every part of that continent.
Fasting for Lent
Abstinence from meat is to be observed by all Catholics 14 years or older on Ash Wednesday and on all Fridays of Lent. The determination of certain days as obligatory days of penance should not be understood as limiting the occasions for Christian penance. The spirit of penance should be maintained throughout the weeks of Lent. The obligation to observe prescribed penitential days of the Church is serious. Although no one should be scrupulous in this regard, people should seek to do more rather than less, since fast and abstinence on the days prescribed should be considered a minimal response to the Lord’s call to penance and conversion of life.
St. Katharine Drexel - March 3
Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on November 26, 1858, Katharine Drexel was the second daughter of Francis Anthony Drexel and Hannah Langstroth. Her father was a well-known banker and philanthropist. Both parents instilled in their daughters the idea that their wealth was simply loaned to them and was to be shared with others.
When the family took a trip to the Western part of the United States, Katharine, as a young woman, saw the plight and destitution of the native Indian-Americans. This experience aroused her desire to do something specific to help alleviate their condition. This was the beginning of her lifelong personal and financial support of numerous missions and missionaries in the United States. The first school she established was St. Catherine Indian School in Santa Fe, New Mexico (1887).
A BIG THANK YOU to all of the volunteers who helped set up and break down the Mardi Gras tent. We had a great little oasis of calm (especially Bacchus night!) with some great food and drinks. Next year we’re considering widening our oasis by putting up a small fence on parish property so that we’re not invaded completely!
Thanks to the Men of Bacchus!
Many of you at last Sunday’s 10:00am Mass knew that I said Mass for many of the members of Bacchus before their parade rolled. I must admit that wading through traffic to the Convention Center isn’t one of my favorite things to do on a Mardi Gras Sunday. Well, I want to report that the men of Bacchus were very good to us as they took up a collection and made a generous donation to Good Shepherd Parish. I have been friends with a number of the members of Bacchus for years, and this year’s parade was surely exceptional – especially having Drew Brees as King! But one of the rewards for wading through traffic was when Pip Brennan, the captain of Bacchus, came into the luncheon carrying the Lombardi Trophy. Yes, the photo above is real. Congratulations to Bacchus and the Saints!
Adoration at Good Shepherd Parish
Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. (Mt. 11:28)
There are now two opportunities to participate in Eucharistic Adoration in our parish. Every Tuesday, there is a Holy Hour from 5:00-6:00pm in the church prior to the 6:00pm Mass. Now there is a new Holy Hour every Thursday from 7:00-8:00am in the Rectory chapel immediately following the 6:30am Mass.
There once was a person who had a fig tree planted in his orchard, and when he came in search of fruit on it but found none, he said to the gardener, ‘For three years now I have come in search of fruit on this fig tree but have found none. So cut it down. Why should it exhaust the soil?’
In preparation for the St. Joseph Altar on Friday, March 19, we will begin making the traditional Italian cookies. The baking will be done on Sunday, March 7 after the 10:30am Mass. For more details, please contact Hunter Harris at 417-6066.
You know that I hear this question frequently after Mass on Sunday. It looks like we finally have a date! The cross will be placed on the steeple during the week of March 15-19. More details to follow…
Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on November 26, 1858, Katharine Drexel was the second daughter of Francis Anthony Drexel and Hannah Langstroth. Her father was a well-known banker and philanthropist. Both parents instilled in their daughters the idea that their wealth was simply loaned to them and was to be shared with others.
