The idea of a Bucket List has become very popular in the past many years. It is the motivation to complete a list of the experiences or achievements a person hopes to have or accomplish during their lifetime.
Unfortunately, this mindset can also lead us to place the focus of our lives on the wrong things. We have been given this all-too brief life to purify our hearts and to grow in love. Unfortunately, life does not always allow us the privilege for completing our personal lists.
Some people told Jesus about the Galileans
whose blood Pilate had mingled with the blood of their sacrifices.
Jesus said to them in reply,
“Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way
they were greater sinners than all other Galileans?
By no means!
But I tell you, if you do not repent,
you will all perish as they did!
Or those eighteen people who were killed
when the tower at Siloam fell on them—
do you think they were more guilty
than everyone else who lived in Jerusalem?
By no means!
But I tell you, if you do not repent,
you will all perish as they did!” (Luke 13:1-5)
Unlike the bucket list, this caution from our Lord can feel more like the Ice Bucket Challenge. You may recall this internet phenomenon from 2014. People across the United States poured a bucket of ice water over themselves to raise money to fight ALS. An admirable cause to be sure, and this is actually still going on.
But we are currently in a time that calls for serious and sometimes chilling reflection on our relationship with God. Our world is in need of repentance and deep life-changing conversion. This is conversion of the heart which purifies and makes us ready for entry into the Eternal City. For we know:
“Nothing unclean will enter it, nor anyone who practices abomination or falsehood, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” (Revelations 21:27)
Before we dismiss this term ‘abomination,’ which sounds really terrible, we should recognize the most common reference to abomination in the Bible is the practice of Idolatry. And before quickly dismissing this word Idolatry, we might consider its Biblical definition:
The worship of someone or something other than God as though it were God.
If we look across our modern culture, we might discover a few things that make that list: sports, movies, music, and money all come to mind, as does politics. Idolizing these in the way we should only worship God is idolatry.
Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way
they were greater sinners than all other Galileans?
Cold water is now being poured into a bucket.
And the Lord does not stop there.
Or those eighteen people who were killed
when the tower at Siloam fell on them—
do you think they were more guilty
than everyone else who lived in Jerusalem?
Now the ice is being added to that bucket.
If it appears the Lord is being a little heavy handed here, He does not stop there.
But I tell you, if you do not repent,
you will all perish as they did!
The temperature of that water is no-kidding ice cold by now.
Finally, lest we think the Lord has really said enough, He offers another parable to emphasize His point. Jesus speaks of an unfruitful fig tree, whose owner orders his gardener to “cut it down.”
‘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.’ (Luke 13:6-9)
The gardener makes one final appeal on behalf of the tree, but he agrees that if it does not bear fruit within a year, the master should indeed, cut it down.
With this final parable, the Lord makes clear that avoiding sin is not enough for those who wish to follow Him; they must also bear fruit in their lives.
It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain. (John 15:16a)
Jesus knows that sometimes the best way to awaken us from our slumber is with a bucket of ice water. Let us hope we are not distracted trying to fulfill our bucket list.
St. Augustine provides additional encouragement to anyone who may be delaying this work of conversion or bearing of fruit for eternal life.
“God has promised forgiveness to your repentance, but He has not promised tomorrow to your procrastination.”
Perhaps we should pray…
Prayer: Good and gracious God, slow to anger and abounding in mercy, help me understand my need for conversion and repentance, give me the grace to recognize the examples You provide for my instruction. Grant me the humility to understand just Who it is Who is calling me to bear fruit for eternal life.
Copyright © 2024, Deacon Mark Danis
Image credit:"Le vigneron et le figuier (The Vine Dresser and the Fig Tree)," James Tissot (Brooklyn Museum), Public domain, via WikiArt