Gospel (Lk 13,1-9) - At that time, some came forward to tell Jesus the story of those Galileans, whose blood Pilate had caused to flow together with that of their sacrifices. Taking the floor, Jesus said to them: «Do you believe that those Galileans were more sinners than all the Galileans, for having suffered such a fate? No, I tell you, but if you do not convert, you will all perish in the same way. Or do you think those eighteen people, on whom the tower of Siloam fell and killed them, were more guilty than all the inhabitants of Jerusalem? No, I tell you, but if you do not convert, you will all perish in the same way." He also told this parable: «A man had planted a fig tree in his vineyard and came looking for fruit, but he found none. Then he said to the vinedresser: «Behold, I have been coming to look for fruit on this tree for three years, but I have not found any. So cut it! Why does he have to exploit the land? But he replied: «Master, leave it again this year, until I have hoed around it and put the fertilizer. We'll see if it bears fruit in the future; if not, you will cut it off."

The commentary on the Gospel by Monsignor Vincenzo Paglia

Jesus has just finished speaking to the crowd and someone tells him of a massacre ordered by Pilate against some Jews who perhaps had attempted an insurrection. This episode offers him the opportunity to say that the evil or misfortunes that happen to us are not a direct consequence of our faults. The small parable that Jesus adds shows the value of intercession. Many times we come across situations that appear difficult to change or which, despite all our efforts, remain more or less the same. They resemble that fig tree mentioned in the Gospel that does not bear fruit. The owner of the fig tree tried to collect the fruit for three years, but he never found any. Impatient, he goes to the winemaker to cut it down so that he doesn't exploit the land in vain. The winemaker, who by being next to that plant has also learned to love it, begs the owner to let him still dig and fertilize the soil; it is certain that the fig tree will bear fruit. Jesus urges us to have patience, that is, to continue to stand next to that fig tree, to surround it with care so that it bears fruit in due time. We must learn from God the patience of him who knows how to hope for everyone, who does not put out the smoldering wick, who accompanies and cares for those who are weak so that they are strengthened and they too can make a contribution of love.