Readings:
1 Peter 4: 7-13
Mark 11: 11-26
Reflection:
In today’s Gospel we read that Jesus was hungry, so he went looking for fruit on what looked like a healthy fig tree. However, it had nothing to offer, and so he cursed it. The disciples, quite rightly, pointed out that in fact it wasn’t the season for figs.
Most varieties of figs are quite unique as they produce a small first crop early in the summer and then the bigger main crop in the autumn. Even though the growth and development of the fruit are at different times, the tree is nurturing them for its self-propagation, as within each fig are 100s of tiny flowers. As humans we have also discovered they are delicious and nutritious (as have the birds!).
Although the Gospel then moves to the infamous Temple scene of Jesus upturning the tables of the money changers and turning out those who were selling and buying things, there is a deep connection with the cursing of the unfruitful fig tree. The fig tree was symbolic of the Messianic Age and the Temple was the very centre of the Jewish faith. His deep anger at seeing what the Temple had become led him to rebuke what was taking place, especially towards the chief priests and the scribes who were as fruitless as the fig tree – all show and no substance. They should have been the very ones to herald in Jesus as the Messiah. Instead, they were determined to work against him.
But of course, Jesus had a deeper reason for looking for the fruit and rebuking the defilement of the Temple. His quest for food is a quest for our love to satisfy him; his search for figs behind the leaves is an intentional search to uncover what lies deep within each of us. His upturning of the tables was to work on getting rid of everything that is contrary to God.
What is my true identity? What is the special grace that I have been gifted that I use in the service of God and others (1 Peter 4: 10)? What fruit am I developing and how much have I got to offer up when it comes to the harvest? Am I like the Temple’s chief priests and scribes that talk the walk or am I a true disciple of Jesus that is trying to walk the talk?
“By their fruits you will know them” (Matt 7:16).
Victoria Raw is parishioner of Te Whetu O Te Moana, Star of the Sea Marlborough, NZ and is active in lay ministry.