Then he told this parable: "A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and found none.  So he said to the gardener, 'See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none.  Cut it down!  Why should it be wasting the soil?'  He replied, 'Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig around it and put manure on it.  If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.'"

The gardener pleads with the owner for patience and more time with which to work with the fig tree to get it to bear fruit.  Is not our guardian angel like the gardener?  He pleads for us before God and constantly renews and redoubles his effort on our behalf.  He helps arrange circumstances and events, times and places for our progress in virtue.  If we are interiorly receptive we can hear his reminders, admonitions and encouragements, not to mention his invaluable service in helping us to understand the Word.

But the premier gardener is, of course, the Christ, "who is our advocate before the Father" (1 John 2.1) pleading on our behalf. He does more than plead; he works actively in our lives to help us bear fruit.

When we think of these things we are forced to examine our own attitude toward others.  Are we quick to want to tear down another (or ourselves) when we find no good in them?  Are we impatient with others (or ourselves) in their progress toward virtue?  Are we willing to give of ourselves to help others bear fruit, or do we secretly want others to be kept down so that we may shine?  "Let us not become conceited, competing against one another, envying one another." (Galatians 5.26)

Finally, the whole point of the Christian life is to bear fruit. It is not simply to live without sin or to maximize our peace in this life.  It is to help others, in whatever way we are called, to the glory of God's kingdom. Spread the Good News.  God wants us to be productive.  What is this "fruit" that we are to produce?  "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." (Galatians 5.22)