"Put your gifts in the service of one another, each in the measure you have received."  The Epistle to Peter could not be clearer:  as members of a Christian community we are each called to serve one another; performing personal acts of piety to save our souls is not sufficient.  This means that we must realistically access our individual gifts, and then in prayer ask the Lord how He wants us to put these gifts at the service of the community.

All Christians are called to "bear fruit for the Kingdom."  But we need not worry that we are inadequate to our task.  The Gospel of John gives us consolation and strength: "Whoever remains in me and I in them will bear much fruit."

Today's scriptures invite us to go to the Lord in prayer and ask the Lord to strengthen us in our service to our community and to lead us to new service, if this be his will.  Then we will continue to be "fruitful fig trees" and as such  be blessed by the Lord.