We often reprint prior devotions that now reflect on the coming lectionary texts. This is a reprint from a devotion originally published on February 22, 2016.
Reading At that very time there were some present who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. He asked them, “Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way, they were worse sinners than all other Galileans? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as they did. Or those eighteen who were killed when the tower of Siloam fell on them—do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others living in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish just as they did.” Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and found none. So, he said to the gardener, ‘See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still, I find none. Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?’ He replied, ‘Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig around it and put manure on it. If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’” (Luke 13: 1-9) Reflection A few years ago, our Wednesday night Lantern worship services were dramas based on parables and one evening it was the Parable of the Barren Fig Tree. I will always remember Glen, who played the role of the fig tree, shaking down to his very roots. He really became the character of a laid back, lazy, unproductive tree holding two branches in his hands above his head until it was noticed his branches were totally bare, the accusation of wasting soil and the threat of being cut down. Then began the look of worry in his face and the nervous shaking of the branches. No, his arms weren't just getting tired. He was one scared tree and we all believed it. We also knew ourselves we could be that tree. As Glen recalls his character development for the performance, “The fig tree was a bit of a slacker. He felt he had pulled the wool over the eyes of his master, and he was pretty proud of the fact. That turned out to be not the case as the lack of his initiative was discovered” I can't remember exactly how the story was enacted but I know by the end his branches were no longer shaking. They may have even had leaves and fruit growing on them. The gardener asked the master for a year to give the tree a chance and then dug around and fertilized it. The tree bore fruit, well and good, and was not cut down. While we have work to do for the kingdom, I don't think we need to be terrified trees as we trust the gardener, Jesus, will loosen up our feet and feed us to be productive. Let that be our prayer as we are grateful for God's patience. --Ruth Gates Prayer Watchful Father, you see all we do and notice what we don't. While we know it is only by grace we are saved, help us to do something for your Kingdom. Thank you for being patient with us. Amazing when the fruits of our labor make a difference. Amen Our devotions are based on this Sunday’s Revised Common Lectionary (RCL). The RCL is a three-year cycle of readings telling the story of our Christian faith and corresponding to the season church calendar. On any given Sunday, we are hearing and praying and examining the same Scripture with millions of Christians around the world. In our current Year C, the Old Testament readings progress through the Prophets and have the theme of the day that it is connected to the Gospel reading. The Psalm, a song the congregation sings in response to the Old Testament reading, most often corresponds to the theme of the Hebrew Lessons and/or that of the Gospel Lesson. The lesson from the Epistles or from Acts typifies the church’s focus on the meaning of Christ for today. The Gospel lesson is connected to the season of the Church Year. This year, our gospel readings are from Luke, who writes that Jesus is the universal Savior and the perfect Son of Man. In the current season of Lent, we focus on baptismal identity and the consequent amendment of life.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Authors
Anyone is welcome to contribute! If you'd like to write for us, please e-mail [email protected] Email
Get our daily devotions delivered to your e-mail box each day by signing up below:
Archives
May 2022
Subscribe |