Need help understanding the story of the fig tree

[RosalieM]

When Jesus curses the fig tree for not having figs, I started to feel sorry for the fig tree because it was stated that it was not the season for figs. It’s got me really thinking.
He said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.”
Later when they returned and passed by the fig tree again, it was withered. Then Jesus spoke of having faith in God and no doubt in one’s heart.
Should the fig tree have known to produce figs for Jesus’ hunger, even though it was not the season for figs? Does this mean that all growing things have a consciousness to some degree. I know it means something for us but does it mean the fig tree was reluctant to participate in a miracle? Help is appreciated.

 

[RPRPsych]

When Jesus curses the fig tree for not having figs, I started to feel sorry for the fig tree because it was stated that it was not the season for figs. It’s got me really thinking.
He said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.”
Later when they returned and passed by the fig tree again, it was withered. Then Jesus spoke of having faith in God and no doubt in one’s heart.
Should the fig tree have known to produce figs for Jesus’ hunger, even though it was not the season for figs? Does this mean that all growing things have a consciousness to some degree. I know it means something for us but does it mean the fig tree was reluctant to participate in a miracle? Help is appreciated.

I’ve read in various Biblical commentaries that Christ’s action had a two-fold significance, so let me try and stitch the two together here:

1. To demonstrate the need for faith when praying.
2. As a symbolic act of what would happen to God’s people if they did not bear fruit. The immediate application was to His own people, who rejected Him, but the significance of the act extends beyond that. A tree does not know that it should produce fruit for its Maker; it obeys the “laws of nature”. Similarly, men are often blinded by laws and customs (as some of the Pharisees were blinded by their legalism, going so far as to accuse Christ of being a blasphemer), and fail to produce fruit in time; since we have a free will, and are not trees, our condemnation will be far more severe. The tree only withered, but as it says elsewhere in scripture of us, “Every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and cast into the fire.”

 

[Cristiano]

Please read the following threads:

Jesus curses the fig tree - why??
Jesus Curses the Fig Tree (Mk 11:12-14)

 

[RosalieM]

Thank you so much!
I’m going to forward what St. Augustin said to the priest I was discussing this with yesterday. So very thought-provoking! Do you think singing in the parish choir is being fruitful?

 

[LB_in_TX]

These sites may help you further understand the parable.

catholic.net/index.php?option=dedestaca&id=7856&grupo=Daily%20Meditations&canal=Liturgy%20%26%20Devotions

americancatholic.org/messenger/feb1997/wiseman.asp

 

[Cristiano]

Thank you so much!
I’m going to forward what St. Augustin said to the priest I was discussing this with yesterday. So very thought-provoking! Do you think singing in the parish choir is being fruitful?

Singing in a parish choir can be very fruitful and it could also be very immoral, I have seen both scenarios. Remember that the act itself is morally good but intent and circumstances can make the whole behavior wrong.

 

[RosalieM]

Singing in a parish choir can be very fruitful and it could also be very immoral, I have seen both scenarios. Remember that the act itself is morally good but intent and circumstances can make the whole behavior wrong.

Thanks, Cristiano.
I was on a 9-month hiatus from choir because of what you mentioned. Something happened in choir that absolutely shocked me.
A priest advised me to return. So now I’m keeping my nose down and concentrating on the ‘nuts and bolts’ of choir participation. I just want to be sure it counts as being fruitful as mentioned in this story.
I don’t want to be a withered fig tree.
Another thing is I hope in my heart that Jesus went and revived the tree in secret. It seems to me he felt some pity for the tree but wanted to illustrate dramatically what he was teaching.

 

[Sirach2]

Should the fig tree have known to produce figs for Jesus’ hunger, even though it was not the season for figs?

Rosalie, that verse troubled me also, and I asked the Lord to teach me what it meant. That did not happen at once, but when I bought fruit trees for my yard, I understood. In the spring, there are many blossoms that form, but not all of them go on to produce the little node from which the fruit comes.

After the leaves appear, the node on the tiny stems will be visible, providing the spring storms did not knock a bunch of them off. This, too, is not the time for fruit, for it takes several months to grow and mature to harvest.

So when Jesus saw “only leaves” and no little nodes which would be the sign of fruit later on, the tree was not giving any evidence of productivity. IOW, it was barren, and taking up the nutrients in the soil.

 

[RosalieM]

Rosalie, that verse troubled me also, and I asked the Lord to teach me what it meant. That did not happen at once, but when I bought fruit trees for my yard, I understood. In the spring, there are many blossoms that form, but not all of them go on to produce the little node from which the fruit comes.

After the leaves appear, the node on the tiny stems will be visible, providing the spring storms did not knock a bunch of them off. This, too, is not the time for fruit, for it takes several months to grow and mature to harvest.

So when Jesus saw “only leaves” and no little nodes which would be the sign of fruit later on, the tree was not giving any evidence of productivity. IOW, it was barren, and taking up the nutrients in the soil.

This deepens the story for me even further. Still feeling sorry for the tree, though. In reading St. Augustine’s take (link provided above in another post), the tree was not at fault. Because of its condition it was used to illustrate something. Jesus knew it bore no fruit and that it wasn’t the season. And somewhere in all this I got the impression Jesus had pity on the tree (because he is merciful). I think it’s wonderful that this little story lends itself to so much interpretation.