Reverend Larry Silva, Bishop | Diocese of Honolulu

Bishop Joseph Tyson of the Diocese of Yakima recently shared insights on the Lenten Gospel parable of the barren fig tree. Drawing from his family's farming background and the agricultural life in Yakima Valley, he connected this scriptural passage to the labor-intensive work done by thousands of migrant farm workers in the region. These workers harvest various fruits, including apples, pears, apricots, cherries, nectarines, peaches, and grapes.

Bishop Tyson recalled how his mother's cousin spent over 25 years growing cherries, an endeavor requiring patience and care. This mirrors the Gospel parable where a gardener pleads for more time to nurture a barren fig tree. Bishop Tyson emphasized that "pastoral patience is vital for cultivating our faith."

As Episcopal Moderator for the Catholic Migrant Farmworker Network, Bishop Tyson engages in a priestly pastoral formation program where he and seminarians live and work alongside migrant farm workers during summer fruit picking. He stated: “Bishop Tyson tells his seminarians.”

His reflections on patient nurturing align with the US Conference of Catholic Bishops' endorsement of Catholic Relief Services (CRS). The USCCB supports CRS's humanitarian efforts worldwide through programs like the Lenten CRS Rice Bowl and contributions to their Annual Collection at March's end. These initiatives aid those suffering from war, natural disasters, violence, and poverty.

For further information on these programs, visit the USCCB website (www.usccb.org) or the CRS website (www.crs.org).