29 March 2007

Today we again pick up with parables from Luke's gospel.

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 around 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)

Mercy, mercy, mercy...and then again...mercy - life within the Reign of God. For the fig tree there is still the expectation that it will be a fig tree. That is, there will be figs hanging from the tree when fig trees would usually be identified by figs hanging on the branches. Nothing out of the ordinary is expected of the tree. To bring forth figs is enough...and it is also a grand event. this is not a tree that produces figs...it has no history of doing what it is intended to do. And yet, even with this kind of unresponsive history there is still opportunity for a future. I always have to remind myself that at the end of the parable, the tree does not have to do anything on its own. The gardener will care for the tree. The gardener takes on special actions for the sake of the tree. The gardener will supply the tree with this great loving care that goes a bit beyond what it expected. In addition to that, we have an owner of a vineyard who is already known to be merciful. Come...let us simply be fig trees!

Connection: Today is another day in which this gracious God who loves us without end - loves us into new life. What will be the life that comes from such mercy?

Again we are fed by your love and mercy, O God. Again we are invited to take part in the Reign which is already ours to share with all your beloved. As the Spirit takes us and shapes us into the fresh fruit of your Reign, may we boldly blossom into faithful people. Amen.