This is a reflection on the Mass readings of the day.
Sometimes what we see in Scripture can frustrate us because its meaning for us is not immediately clear.
The narrative of Jesus cursing the fig tree can occasion such frustration. Why is Jesus being “cruel and unfair” to this tree by cursing it for not bearing fruit, when fig fruit is out of season?
Yet, instances where Scripture is unclear can be an invitation to persons of faith to delve deeper, under the surface, asking God in humble dialogue for illumination, to understand the lessons He has for us there.
As we contemplate the cursing of the fig tree, what elements should we consider as we strive to get a glimpse of what is Jesus’ heart?
A natural place to start is Jesus’ own explanation of His actions, when such is to be found. And indeed, today we have Jesus reacting by way of explanation–or at least partial explanation–to Peter noting that the fig tree has dried up.
Jesus talks about the power of prayer: That the omnipotence of the Divinity itself is at our fingertips when we ask for God’s action in humble prayer. So, we can infer that at least part of what moved Jesus to cause the withering of the fig tree was the desire to teach His disciples–and us–that God is master of nature, and that our prayer can affect nature itself.
This alone could feed a great period of meditation. What is the object of our prayer? What are we permitted to ask God to do, and expect a result? It is not limited to asking for spiritual benefits for ourselves and our neighbor, though this is important. In this passage, Jesus gives us explicit permission to pray for God to move and transform nature, implying further that if what we ask for does not come to pass, it may be because we lack faith in the power and will of God to move nature on our behalf. We should be bold and confident in our prayer–even a little “presumptuous” that God will do what we ask, even if it is somewhat spectacular, barring a significant reason for not fulfilling our request. How often do we pray with this kind of confidence–the confidence with which Jesus applied divine power to the fig tree?
But an unanswered question remains: Why did Jesus use destructive force on the tree, when it was simply unfruitful due to the season of the year?
Better for one tree to wither, than for centuries of apostles to be surprised at losing their eternal salvation because they failed to bear fruit for Jesus, regardless of excuses of seasonality and convenience.
Jesus was issuing a none-too-subtle palpable warning that, as He states elsewhere, “Anyone who does not remain in me will be thrown out like a branch and wither; people will gather them and throw them into a fire and they will be burned.” (Jn. 15:6)
Ideas for conversation with the Lord: Ask Jesus to show you the way to remain in Him and bear fruit; ask Him to show you His will and to help you to follow it regardless of the cost.
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