We have entered the Triduum: Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday. These three days culminate Christ’s redemptive work on our behalf and mark a new beginning for us. Sin is no longer a noose around our neck.

Unless we refuse to repent and continue in our sin.

“But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did!”

Lk 13: 3, 5

Jesus says this twice and proceeds to tell them the parable of the barren fig tree.

‘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?‘ Lk 13:7

We were created to mirror Christ, bear good fruit, reject sin, and ultimately live for eternity with God in paradise. When we choose not to use our God-given talents by refusing to cooperate with God’s grace, we are like barren trees exhausting the soil.

Notice I said choose.

Jesus knew what He was about. He accepted His mission and possessed the gifts necessary to execute it. He knew. He was not surprised when betrayed. Hey, Judas, why all the guards? He frequently predicted His death (Mk 8:31, Mk 9:31, Mk 10:33-34, Matt 16:2, Lk 18:31-33).

He knew and lived with this purpose in mind.

Have you ever known in advance a very difficult situation you had to face? A surgery? A loss of friends or family members? A diagnosis? How did you approach this?

The first time I had brain surgery was to remove a benign tumor that had been growing and the eminent loss of hearing in my left ear. I think when I heard the word brain surgery, I got a little freaked out.

“Wait, if you mess up, doc, I’m messed up or dead.”

I had a month to prepare. My little panic period over, I took control by surrendering control and completely entrusted myself to God’s loving care. Whenever worry crept in, I imagined myself falling back into the waiting hands of the Father. I was utterly at peace; no matter the potential outcome, I was at peace.

Jesus attempted to help His disciples prepare for what awaited Him and them. They seemed distracted or unwilling to consider what he was proposing. Hence, they were completely caught off guard on that first Holy Thursday so long ago.

The moment of betrayal was upon them, and they panicked.

Do we pay attention when Christ speaks in our hearts? What are we ignoring, postponing, or dismissing? Sit with Him and listen in silence. He doesn’t abandon us there but accompanies and guides us—if we let Him. If we trust Him.

We have but a short time on earth to repent, bear good fruit, and set our faces toward heaven. It will be too late when that moment arrives and finds us ill-prepared. While God’s mercy and compassion are inexhaustible, we must live in a state of readiness. Memento Mori, remember your death.

May Good Friday find you at the Cross beside our beloved Mother Mary, unwavering as she continually repeated, “Thy will be done, Father.” For it was the most agonizing apparent defeat in all history, which changed everything and produced the most magnificent harvest. Outward appearances can be misleading. The greatest fruit sometimes comes from what seems like the greatest defeat.

“He himself bore our sins in his body upon the Cross, so that, free from sin, we might live for righteousness. By his wounds, you have been healed.”

1 Peter 2:24

Do not exhaust the soil. Go and bear great fruit.