A challenging reading! The episode of the Jesus’ ‘cleansing’ of the temple is situated in the midst of the narrative of the fig tree. This poor fig tree happened not to have fruit, just leaves, as Jesus was passing by. Unfortunately for the poor tree, Jesus was hungry and apparently in the mood for a fig. No figs available. “It was not time for figs.”
For no other apparent reason Jesus condemns the tree, “May no one ever eat of your fruit again!” Not a mumbled under-the-breath curse, but heard by the disciples. This would seem a rather rash and selfish fate for the tree – it was not fig season after all. And, seemingly so out of character for Jesus. We are not told he was angry, but that does not seem a far-fetched assumption.
Jesus proceeds to the “temple area” where again his anger erupts; “He overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who were selling doves.” The next day on passing by the fig tree, Peter says to Jesus, “Rabbi, Look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered.” Why was Peter so surprised? He had witnessed human miracles much greater that this.
What are we to make of these two scenarios?
It appears to have something to do with invitation and expectation – looking for something and not finding it. The fig tree has two seasons, however the leaves and the fruit do not appear at the same time as is true of other fruit bearing trees. The leaves are in fact an empty invitation to what is not to be found. The temple at that time was a recognized site of social, commercial and religious gatherings. Pilgrims, sightseers, merchants, and community faithful regularly frequented the “temple area.” Even today mid-eastern temples and medieval European churches are surrounded by local merchants, souvenir hawkers, and money changers – changing foreign for local currency. All legal and acceptable, until the poor, ignorant and defenseless are exploited.
“Is it not written: My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples?
But you have made it a den of thieves.”
The goodnews of Jesus is found in the closing lines: “Have faith in God.” Jesus says that it is faith in God, belief in God, prayer and forgiveness that will give life and freedom to all. God’s invitation is pure and worthy of our earnest expectations.
We may be duped by nature and we may be duped by man, but never by God, by God!
Alleluia, Alleluia!
Joan Blandin Howard
After working and teaching at Creighton for many years, I am officially retired, but hardly so. Having 5 adult children, in-laws, and 11 grandchildren I keep pretty busy! My husband and I spend hours in our garden planting, pruning, dead-heading and of course weeding and mowing! We spend even more time sitting in our garden, delighting in its beauty. The beauty overwhelms me and invities me into a space of en-Joy-ment and gratitude to the Creator and Artist of all. I have much for which to be grateful. I also like to travel, read, write and make art. My ministry of spiritual direction and silent retreats continues.
I count my blessings. You among them.
Initially I thought I was writing for myself. I use the readings as a source of personal prayer. I thoroughly enjoy the time I spend in prayer, study and preparation. The writing seems to be a natural end product. The wonderful e-mails I receive tell me that I am not writing just for me and they reconfirm my faith in the presence of the Lord, who speaks all languages, permeates untold experiences, and surfaces in the most ordinary of daily delights and disturbing distractions. That the Lord would speak through me is a gift I had not anticipated.
I thank you, the reader and fellow pilgrim, for joining us on our journey. God bless us.
