The Word

Luke 13: 1-9

Jesus curses the fig tree. No wonder.

Quotable Words

"...one must be willing to stand with the fig tree, fearlessly, to be unconcerned with the fig tree's produce or any other earthly wealth, and to be prepared to take a position that will cause conflict, both with the landowner and the vintners." ~~ Margaret Aymer

Headline Words

Senator Ends Filibuster, Unemployment Relief Bill Passes

Preachable Words

A few thoughts heading toward Sunday on the intersection of the Word and the Headlines:

Margaret Aymer's intriguing commentary on Luke's story of the fig tree asks us to look again at that fig tree, and to see it in our day. She writes, in New Proclamation (Fortrees), "Perhaps Jerusalem..represents another fig tree, fought ove by a landowner (Rome) and neglectful vintners (those who kill the prophets). Jesus, ultimately, is unable to change the mind of Jerusalem, but perhaps Luke, in telling the story, is able to change the mind of his audience."

Well, we are the audience, and I'm guessing we know the fig trees in our sight, or just out of our sight, the ones who are neglected by those responsible for tending. So I'm reading Luke, thinking fig trees, health care reform, and the responsibility we all share for the health and well being of our neighbor. While we all watch the Oscars and consider the prize-winning "Avatar's" portrayal of a native people plundered by the greed of Empire, we might consider standing with the fig tree. Plenty of Lenten meat here.