Lent

March 20, 2022

Scripture Reading: Luke 13:1-9

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 round it and put manure on it. If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.”’ –Luke 13:6-9

I do not think I have ever seen a fig tree in Oklahoma. I checked and learned that they will grow here if the variety planted is hardy enough for cold weather and watered adequately when the weather is hot. I do know that fruit trees vary in the length of time from planting to bearing fruit. Fruiting fig trees have a long juvenile period compared to other fruit trees. Most figs will not produce a crop for the first four to five years*.

I guess that is why this scripture has always puzzled me. The gardener most likely understood that the tree was developing normally as the gardener advised they give the tree another year. I was interested when I read the information about fig trees quoted above that the word juvenile was used. Jesus may be describing ways to help teenagers move through the transition from childhood to adulthood physically, mentally, and spiritually. It could as well apply to all transitions in our faith. James W. Fowler’s book, Stages of Faith: The Psychology of Human Development and the Quest for Meaning describes the transitions of faith from birth to death.  Getting stuck and staying in one of the stages is when problems arise. I must admit, I have recently wondered if many people in our society are stagnating in the terrible two’s stage of psychological development.

I also noted that the owner changed his tone after hearing the gardener’s recommendation. The owner did not say if the tree failed to produced in a year to cut it down, he gave the gardener permission to cut it down leaving the impression that it was the gardener’s decision.

This scripture draws me to read Fowler’s books again and assess where I am in my faith development. It also challenges us when we are serving in the role of helping others grow in their faith we let God guide us and practice patience.

Prayer: Lord, guide me in my faith development and when I am called to guide others. Amen.

https://homeguides.sfgate.com/fig-tree-bear-fruit-49324.html

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.