Figs and Faith

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In my family’s backyard are five fig trees. My grandfather planted the first one about 50 years ago. The rest came from rooted cuttings of the original tree. With care and attention, they have withstood storms, heat waves, frigid temperatures, and the rest of nature’s challenges over the years to provide an abundance of figs.

And there’s certainly more to figs than meets the eye. Many culinary delights come from figs. Appetizers, beverages, side dishes, salads, breads, spreads, main courses, and the list goes on. So where am I going with this? I confess that I have not always been a fan of figs. However, as my faith grows, my feelings have changed.

My affection for this pleasant little fruit and its tree stems from the fig tree’s presence in the Bible. For example, in Mark 11:12–25, Jesus curses a fig tree that had no fruit. In Luke 13:6–9, a gardener holds out hope that with care and cultivation, the owner’s fig tree would bear fruit in the future. Who knew one could learn so much about figs and faith.

Lessons for Good

Why Jesus got angry at the first fig tree, I am not sure I understand. True, the fig tree provided no fruit, however Jesus could have made the tree fruitful. In fact, our Lord could make us all follow His commands. But what would that accomplish? I prefer the parable that holds out hope for future figs. Here we see God’s patience. Like the fig tree, each of us has a purpose and our Lord provides what we need to fulfill our purpose.

“For every tree is known by its own fruit. For people do not pick figs from thorn bushes, nor do they gather grapes from brambles. A good person out of the store of goodness in his heart produces good, but an evil person out of a store of evil produces evil; for from the fullness of the heart the mouth speaks” [Luke 6:44–45].

Therefore, how do we respond? God gives us free will to act. We can grow and mature in truth and goodness when we are rooted in God’s love. Or, we can reject our Lord, causing us to fail and sin. If we choose to do nothing, we are not faithful or fruitful. Remember, evil flourishes when good people do nothing.

Certainly, our Lord does not want to see us wither or cut down in life. Instead, God wants us to bear the bounty of His love. Provided we accept, we become extensions of our Lord’s goodness in this world.

Fruit of the Vine

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower. He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and every one that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit. You are already pruned because of the word that I spoke to you,” said Jesus [John 15:1–3]. Christ is the living Word, given to us by God our Father.

The Word of God works within us when we believe! Consider this: “I bud forth delights like a vine; my blossoms are glorious and rich fruit” [Sirach 24:17]. Truly our purpose is to bear the fruits of faith, hope, and love. All of this we are called to share. One final thought: With proper care, my family’s fig trees never fail to bear fruit. When we allow God’s loving graces to work within us, even in the face of challenges, our lives will never fail to blossom and be fruitful. Amen.

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