October 26, 2019
by Kimberly Grassmeyer
Creighton University's Interdisciplinary Leadership
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Like the fig tree in today’s reading from Luke, we all need a bit of cultivation and fertilization to be the best we can be.  In the absence of nurturing and loving intention, any one of us can lose our ability to flourish.  We can lose our way.  The fig’s owner wanted to cut down the tree when it stopped bearing fruit.  How often do we rush to judgement as to the worthiness of others?  How quickly do we turn our backs on people (or plants in our garden?) that may need little more than our kindness, our nurturing, our support?

Today’s reading called me to gratitude for the people in my life who have taken the time to help grow me; to help me blossom and bear good fruit for the world.  That gratitude encourages me to return the favor.  In small ways, I can give a little more time to one of my students, to treat a stranger with kindness, to wink and smile at a child – even when those individuals may not seem open to the love.
Not one of the marginalized of this world is a greater sinner than I am.  Not one of the oppressed deserve their fate.  Jesus calls me as a sinner to repent, and as a child of God to open my heart to the spirit and to love others.  As the beneficiary of both the love of God and the nurturing of other people, I am happy to share that love, and when I do, to perhaps encourage the baby figs of joy and love in others.   Amen.