Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that you can cut it down

 

 There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.  And Jesus answered and said to them, "Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things?  I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.  Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem?  I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish."

He also spoke this parable:  "A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none.  Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, 'Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none.  Cut it down; why does it use up the ground?'  But he answered and said to him, 'Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it.  And if it bears fruit, well.  But if not, after that you can cut it down.'"

 

- Luke 13:1–9 

 

In yesterday's reading, Jesus taught, "I came to send fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!  But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed I am till it is accomplished!  Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth?  I tell you, not at all, but rather division.  For from now on five in one house will be divided:  three against two, and two against three.  Father will be divided against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law."  Then He also said to the multitudes, "Whenever you see a cloud rising out of the west, immediately you say, 'A shower is coming'; and so it is.  And when you see the south wind blow, you say, 'There will be hot weather'; and there is.  Hypocrites!  You can discern the face of the sky and of the earth, but how is it you do not discern this time?  Yes, and why, even of yourselves, do you not judge what is right?  When you go with your adversary to the magistrate, make every effort along the way to settle with him, least he drag you to the judge, the judge deliver you to the officer, and the officer throw you into prison.  I tell you, you shall not depart from there til you have paid the very last mite."

 

  There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.  And Jesus answered and said to them, "Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things?  I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.  Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem?  I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish."  My study Bible comments that these two historical incidents are only reported in Luke.  The slain Galileans, it says, were probably Zealots, Jewish nationalists, who triggered some disturbance against the Romans.  The collapse of the tower in Siloam, whether by accident or sabotage, was believed to be divine justice on sinners.  Very importantly, Christ denies that this suffering was God's judgment.  On the contrary, He is using these illustrations for those who perish because they will not repent, shifting the assumptions about judgment to the gospel message of the Kingdom.  

 

 He also spoke this parable:  "A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none.  Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, 'Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none.  Cut it down; why does it use up the ground?'  But he answered and said to him, 'Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it.  And if it bears fruit, well.  But if not, after that you can cut it down.'"  My study Bible says that the fruitless fig tree is universally interpreted in the Church to be fallen humanity.  The three years, it says, represent God's covenants with represent God's covenants with God's people through Abraham, Moses, and Christ -- all of which are rejected, as well as the three-year earthly ministry of Christ.  The keeper of the vineyard is Christ Himself.  He intercedes on our behalf so that He will suffer His Passion and send the Holy Spirit to us before the final judgment takes place.  

Jesus' parable of the fruitless fig tree is a very important portrayal of the ways of the kingdom of God.  Christ continues to make every effort to save, to nurture and feed human beings with what they need for spiritual fruit, to give us more time to repent and grow and receive the kingdom of God He preaches.  This is the way that we need to understand God, and God's ways, for it appears over and over again in the ways that Christ preaches and the stories He tells us.  Even when He tells another parable -- this time of a vineyard -- against the religious leaders in Jerusalem (Matthew 21:33-46) -- the parable of the Wicked Vinedressers still illustrates God's repeated efforts to send help to reap the harvest of the vineyard.  It's important that the parable of the Barren Fig Tree (the latter verses in today's reading) comes after Christ's teaching on judgment.  He's clearly addressing the people who hold presumptions that the terrible fates or deaths that happened to some people are signs of God's judgment on them, and He is telling them that they are mistaken and do not understand judgment.  He shifts their attention to the one thing that really matters in terms of the resurrection and life that He preaches, an acceptance of the gospel message of the kingdom of God.  This, He tells them, must be their focus when they think of judgment, for that is the door (and He is the door) to eternal life.  The continual entreaty of God, in the persons of the prophets repeatedly sent to the people throughout Jewish spiritual history, and in the Incarnation of Jesus Christ, in the martyrs and saints to come, in the Holy Spirit, in the angels that seek to guide us -- all of these things reflect the nature of God who is love, and God's love for us.  Humankind is given an extended time, and all kinds of help, for the saving gospel of Christ to reach to all the nations.  Like a dedicated and loving parent who will not give up on their child, God continually seeks to show us the way to His life and the fullness that awaits our true spiritual health.  Will we find our way to God?  How many do not care, or fall victim to all the things Christ says interfere with our faith?  These stumbling blocks He names throughout the Gospels, such as the "cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches" mentioned in the parable of the Sower, the hypocritical practices of the Pharisees and scribes (Matthew 23) or of any religious leadership, and all the myriad temptations we face (Luke 4:1-13).  We should remember that God's unfailing constant entreaties come to us not simply within the arc of time as given in Scripture, but also within our own lifetimes.  Repentance allows us to be transfigured and to grow in our faith and understanding throughout our lifetimes; there is no moment when we are truly alone without God's presence in some way attending and awaiting our attention and opening to the gospel.  Let us practice the fullness of our faith with Jesus' message of the true judgment and its central focus on the gospel of the Kingdom, and also God's unwavering love which awaits us always (Luke 15:11-32).

 

 

 

Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that you can cut it down

 

 There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.  And Jesus answered and said to them, "Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things?  I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.  Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem?  I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish."

He also spoke this parable:  "A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none.  Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, 'Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none.  Cut it down; why does it use up the ground?'  But he answered and said to him, 'Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it.  And if it bears fruit, well.  But if not, after that you can cut it down.' "

 

- Luke 13:1–9 

 

In yesterday's reading, Jesus said to the disciples, "I came to send fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!  But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed I am till it is accomplished!  Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth?  I tell you, not at all, but rather division.  For from now on five in one house will be divided:  three against two, and two against three.  Father will be divided against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law."  Then He also said to the multitudes, "Whenever you see a cloud rising out of the west, immediately you say, 'A shower is coming'; and so it is.  And when you see the south wind blow, you say, 'There will be hot weather'; and there is.  Hypocrites!  You can discern the face of the sky and of the earth, but how it is you do not discern this time?  Yes, and why, even of yourselves, do you not judge what is right?  When you go with your adversary to the magistrate, make every effort along the way to settle with him, lest he drag you to the judge, the judge deliver you to the officer, and the officer throw you into prison.  I tell you, you shall not depart from there till you have paid the very last mite." 

 There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.  And Jesus answered and said to them, "Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things?  I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.  Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem?  I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish."  My study bible informs us that these are two historical incidents, which are only reported in Luke.  The slain Galileans were most likely Zealots, Jewish nationalists, who triggered a disturbance against the Romans.  The collapse of the tower in Siloam, whether by accident or sabotage, was thought to be divine justice on sinners.  My study bible points out that Christ denies this suffering was God's judgment.  Instead, Jesus uses these events as illustrations for those who perish because they will not repent, building on His statements at the end of yesterday's reading in the same discourse (see above). 

He also spoke this parable:  "A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none.  Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, 'Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none.  Cut it down; why does it use up the ground?'  But he answered and said to him, 'Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it.  And if it bears fruit, well.  But if not, after that you can cut it down.' "  This fruitless fig tree is universally understood in the Church to be fallen humanity.  The three years, my study bible says, represent God's covenants with God's people through Abraham, Moses, and Christ, each of whom are rejected, as well as the three-year earthly ministry of Christ.  The keeper of the vineyard is Christ Himself.  He intercedes on our behalf by suffering His Passion, and sending the Holy Spirit to us before the final judgment takes place.  

Jesus continues to build on His statement from Thursday's reading, "And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.  But I will show you whom you should fear:  Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!"  This is not to emphasize fear itself, but rather to emphasize the central importance of the first great commandment, as He has named it:  "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,' and 'your neighbor as yourself.'"  To place God centrally in life, as the focus around which one gathers one's life, is the whole point of Jesus' reiterated teachings in the readings from yesterday and today.  It really little matters what else we concern ourselves about, whether it is gathering up food for the future, or storing money, or clothing.  It doesn't matter if we are concerned about the evils we think we see about us and consider to be beneath us.  If we don't have the conscious awareness of God placed centrally within our own understanding of what guides our own conduct -- including sins large and small -- then we're equally in danger of losing our chance at living in this Kingdom and especially the eternal life that Christ offers.  In other words, whatever else it is we think about, we need to keep this one constant focus centrally in mind.  Everything depends upon our own communion with God.  We don't compare ourselves with the rest of the world to get the true picture of the focus we need to have, no matter what else is going on, and no matter what others are doing.  He goes through all these illustrations of worldly calamity, terror, human needs, and all the rest simply to emphasize this one strong point:  each of our lives needs to be focused around how we serve God, what we need to do for the strength and depth of our relationship with God, and how we constantly participate as disciples within that communion.  This is the one true central thing we always have to keep in mind above every other concern, and midst all others.  Jesus reminds every one of His disciples of the tremendously greater loss that comes from lack of concern and awareness of strengthening and deepening our relationship to God.  Judgment is mentioned in this context to reinforce the importance and value of the great gift of life offered to all who participate in the Kingdom, and to the tremendous loss of that gift that can result from a lack of priority or understanding of the importance of the spiritual life.  That is, we need to get right with God, no matter what we think we've already done, no matter what we see others doing.  This is because the gift we receive from this communion is so much greater than any other goals we can ponder.  In the final paragraph, He emphasizes one thing that He has reiterated again and again, the importance of bearing spiritual fruit.  Whether we are the servants in the household who remain alert and awake for our Master's return or we are those who are stewards and must administer with mercy over our fellow servants (see Saturday's reading), whether we are anxious and concerned with our worldly goods and needs (see Friday's reading), whether we're worried about the conflicts or upset with those around us via our choice for discipleship to Christ (yesterday's reading, above), our chief concern really needs to be with bearing the spiritual fruit that God looks for and that Christ stresses so strongly.  That fruit is the product of our own practices of mercy, generosity, or care that we practice as disciples, and the corrections for our own varieties of selfishness or sins that the communion with God makes us aware of.  There is so much to receive in this Kingdom which blesses us, including the grace of God which enables us to become much more than we think possible and to grow in our faith.  Jesus keeps emphasizing this one thing necessary, this desire to serve and please God by living the life of faithfulness, that nothing else is more important or essential.  We stand to lose so much when we lose sight of it.  Let us keep our focus where it must be.  Let us bear the fruit so carefully nurtured by Christ, and passionately tended with such a depth of sacrifice.

Unless you repent you will all likewise perish

 There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.  And Jesus answered and said to them, "Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things?  I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.  Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem?  I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish."

He also spoke this parable:  "A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none.  Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, 'Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none.  Cut it down; why does it use up the ground?'  But he answered and said to him, 'Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it.  And if it bears fruit, well.  But if not, after that you can cut it down.'"

- Luke 13:1-9

In yesterday's reading, Jesus taught, "I came to send fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!  But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed I am till it is accomplished!  Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth?  I tell you, not at all, but rather division.  For from now on five in one house will be divided:  three against two, and two against three.  Father will be divided against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law."  Then He also said to the multitudes, "Whenever you see a cloud rising out of the west, immediately you say, 'A shower is coming'; and so it is.  And when you see the south wind blow, you say, 'There will be hot weather'; and there is.  Hypocrites!  You can discern the face of the sky and of the earth, but how is it you do not discern this time?  Yes, and why, even of yourselves, do you not judge what is right?  When you go with your adversary to the magistrate, make every effort along the way to settle with him, lest he drag you to the judge, the judge deliver you to the officer, and the officer throw you into prison.  I tell you, you shall not depart from there till you have paid the very last mite."

 There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.  And Jesus answered and said to them, "Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things?  I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.  Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem?  I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish."  My study bible says that the two incidents named here by Jesus are reported only in Luke's Gospel.  The Galileans, it suggests, were probably Zealots, Jewish nationalists, who triggered some disturbance against the Romans.  The collapse of the tower in Siloam, by accient or sabotage, was believed to be divine justice on sinners.  But Jesus says no to such an interpretation of either event.  He uses them instead as illustrations of the need for repentance for all.  We remember He is warning about the Judgment to come, and the time that is 'at hand.'

He also spoke this parable:  "A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none.  Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, 'Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none.  Cut it down; why does it use up the ground?'  But he answered and said to him, 'Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it.  And if it bears fruit, well.  But if not, after that you can cut it down.'"   My study bible says that the fruitless fig tree is universally interpreted in the Church to be fallen humanity.  The three years represent God's covenants with His people through Abraham, Moses, and Christ, all of which are rejected, as well as the three year-earthly ministry of Christ.  Christ is the keeper of the vineyard, who intercedes on our behalf by suffering His Passion and sending the Holy Spirit to us before the ultimate judgment.

Jesus speaks about Judgment.  Earlier He has told His followers that they should rather fear Him who has power to cast into hell (Luke 12:5).  The people assume that the terrible things that befall those around them are forms of Judgment, but Jesus warns everyone about the importance of repentance.  It is a stark reminder of the plank in our own eye that we don't notice while we simply look at everyone else (Luke 6:42).  We are to look to our own stand before God and consider where we are.  He reminds the people of God's mercy:  a delay in Judgment to allow for repentance.  This is what the time period we are in is all about as we await His return, the Second Coming.  The gift of the Holy Spirit, the acts of Passion, crucifixion, and Resurrection are all in service to this mercy, to calling us back, giving us time.  He calls us as individuals, but there is also the dimension of the community He addresses here, and the community is all of us, the whole world.  His sacrifice will be a gift to all of us to look at how we betray innocence and the good, what we do to a God who so loves us that He condescends to experience our reality, our suffering, a painful and humiliating death on the Cross.  This is the act that begins the "new age" He initiates through the Incarnation.  It is the sacrifice that sets down a clear picture of our injustice and betrayal of truth, down to the harm we do to the little ones in whom we are to see Him and God the Father (Mark 9:37).  It calls us all to make choices, to think about what we do, to be aware of what justice asks for and where righteousness truly is.  Christ will be used by others as a scapegoat (John 11:50).  He will go willingly to this death and sacrifice.  But He dies for all of us, all of the people.  He is a witness for the truth that saves, for God who loves us.  He testifies to the evil in the world, to call us to repentance and wakefulness.  He is a martyr who leads the way for those who will follow Him, and He exposes the evil in our world.  Will we feast at His table?  Will we be the friends of this Bridegroom?  Can we follow Him, and not be like the hypocrites?  Some people find that Judgment (or the idea of it) is incompatible with the notion of God who is love.  But Jesus tells us the opposite, that we are called to awareness of our lives, to choice, and to responsibility.  He will do so through His own Passion, a sacrifice in which we participate when we take the Eucharist.  How does your awareness of this shape your life?  Does it call you to a humility that keeps you honest, or to a reliance on His help?  How do we learn love, if not through Him who loved us first and left us with His new command to love?