The Great Lessons from the Fig Tree

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season: Thirty Third Week : Sunday*

*Gospel : Mk 13:24-32*

*First Reading : Dn 12:1-3*

*Responsorial Psalm : Ps 16:5, 8, 9-10, 11*

*Second Reading - Heb 10:11-14, 18*

*The Great Lessons from the Fig Tree*

*1) The Symbol of Fig Tree*

The Gospel of the day speaks about the Fig Tree and the lesson that we have to learn from the tree

The fig tree is presented in different places in different level. 

The fig tree convey a very powerful lesson to our life  

*2) Fig Tree in Mark 11 : A tree with full life*

The fig tree which appears in Markan Gospel chapter 11, is very lushy green, with full of life 

The tree is very attractive and which can catch the attention of onlookers 

When Jesus saw this fig tree, He came to the tree expecting a fruit from the tree, because tree was full of life and was promising to give the fruit 

*3) Fig Tree in Luke 13 : A Barren Fig Tree*

The fig tree which appears here seems to be barren tree. 

The Master who planted this tree had a plan for the tree, that is to get figs from the tree 

So when master came, looking for figs, he found none. That's why he wanted to cut the tree. 

But with the intervention of the Gardner, the tree gets life for one more year. Mean while the tree also gets sufficient water and fertilizers to yeild fruit

Now it is the challenge for the tree for its survival by producing fruit. If not, it will be cut down 

*4) Fig Tree in Matthew 21: A cursed Fig tree*

The tree which appears in this part of the Gospel I'd the cursed fig tree, because it failed to produce fruit 

It was cursed by Jesus because it failed to produce the desired fruit 

The cursed fig tree, dried up within few days and it was destroyed 

*5) Fig Tree in Luke 21: A Survived Fig Tree*

The fig tree which appears in this part of the Gospel and also occurs in today's Gospel, is a fig tree which survived all the challenges and preparing itself for the next season to produce fruit 

In the winter season it sheds all the leaves, and suffers a lot. Yet it faces all the challenges and revives once again with new life for the new crop 

That's why this fig tree appears to be the surviving fig tree which grows towards achieving its purpose 

*6) Israel and Fig Tree*

All these images of the fig tree appears in the life of Israel

Beginning from the first phase, till the last, they can be vividly seen in the life of Israel 

Israel which began with a great Nation under the great leader King David, fails to remain faithful to God, and thus goes into the Exile. 

Some die in the exile, and few survive and come back to praise God

The life of fig tree is the life of Israel 

*7) Fig Tree, End times, Second Coming and My life*

The life of Fig tree is very much reflected in the above things 

The Fig tree has to go through the challenges of winter season. Unless it survives during this season it can't produce fruit. 

After winter comes the new life and new fruit 

The life moves in this situation. The life is faced with many trails and tribulations and finally the mystery of death. 

We need to survive all these things to rise to new life in order to produce fruit of eternal life 

In this process our life witnesses the end of the world to our life and second coming of Jesus who takes us to new life 

If so, what is my preparation for the eternal life?  

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

8050615849

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*