This Sunday we will hear the Gospel story of the fig tree—a familiar story but one we don’t always associate with second chances.

Years ago, during my time in the Air Force, a med-tech was reviewing medical records and found that I had missed a major milestone test.  Arrangements were made, the procedure completed and the results reviewed--colon cancer.  Arrangements were made, the surgery completed and the results reviewed—cancer gone.  That was eight years ago.  For me, it was a wakeup call to a renewed focus on what is most important in life.  When we get a second chance, we get a new opportunity and inspiration to “cultivate the ground” around our spiritual lives; we also truly get a second chance at “life.”  We can use the invitation of Lent to prayer, fasting and charity to cultivate, fertilize and renew our spiritual lives.  We can see this Lent as a second chance.