Today’s is a challenging Gospel reading (Mark 11:11-26). We are presented with a story within a story. Most of us can recall how Jesus entered the Temple complex and found merchants selling all manner of things in the very place where people should have been allowed to worship God. We all remember the rage Jesus flew into and how the money exchange tables were trashed. Few of us remember, however, that his vignette is completely surrounded by another narrative, that of the fig tree. What are we to make of these two apparently unrelated stories?
For many years I had two fig trees in my garden. These trees were very productive for a while, but eventually quit producing fruit. I pruned them. I fertilized them. I treated them with loving care. But after three failed harvests, I decided to remove the trees and replace them with other plants.
The episode of the Jesus’ ‘cleansing’ the temple grounds is placed entirely within the narrative of a fig tree. This poor fig tree happened to have no fruit, just leaves, as Jesus was passing by. Unfortunately for the poor tree, Jesus was hungry and apparently was in the mood for a fig. But no figs were to be found, because “It was not the 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 kind of curse, but one loud enough to be heard by all the disciples. This would seem to be a rather harsh fate for the tree – it was not fig season, after all. And, seemingly so out of character for Jesus. We are not told that He was angry, but it does not seem like a far-fetched assumption that He was.
Jesus then 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.” Early the next day, Jesus’ entourage again passes by the fig tree, causing Peter to exclaim, “Rabbi, Look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered.”
What are we to make of these two scenes?
It appears to have something to do with the invitation and the expectation – expecting something and not finding it. Like most fruits, the fig tree has two seasons, when the leaves burst forth (very late in the spring for the fig, after all other trees are fully green) and when the fruit finally appears. But the fig tree is unusual, it does not flower. You never know if and when the fruit will come, not until it appears. The leaves are, in fact, an empty invitation to partake of fruit that may or may not be found. The temple was a recognized site of social, commercial, and religious gatherings. Pilgrims, sightseers, merchants, and community faithful regularly frequented the “temple area.” Even today, middle east temples and medieval European churches are surrounded by squares where local merchants, souvenir hawkers, and money changers hawk their goods. All legal and acceptable, until the poor, ignorant and defenseless are exploited. That was what Jesus found in the temple area. And Jesus lost it. “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.” He saw the temple (fig leaves) and expected to find people praying and worshiping God (the fruit).
But like all New Testament scripture, the Good News of Jesus is found in the closing lines: “Have faith in God.” Jesus says that it is faith in God and prayer that will produce the figs not found on the barren tree: 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!
May God Bless You and Grant You His Peace!