Always in Season

Scripture – Mark 11:12-19: ¹²The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. ¹³Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs. ¹⁴Then he said to the tree, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard him say it. ¹⁵On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple area and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, ¹⁶and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. ¹⁷And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: “‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations?’ But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’” ¹⁸The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him, because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching. ¹⁹When evening came, they went out of the city.

Reflection: What is the lesson of the fig tree? As long as I remember, it seems unfair that this poor tree ends up with a curse on it. Mark is clear that it was not the season for figs. So why does it get in trouble for having no figs?

I guess, as I look at my life, I have fruitless days from time to time. Do I have fruitless seasons? Do I go for extended periods of time, staying real busy, but producing only leaves?

Maybe in the Kingdom there are no “off” seasons. Even when I’m on vacation from my role as pastor, I’m not on vacation from Jesus. I’ll remember I’m called to be a full-time follower.

Lord, by your grace may I avoid fruitless seasons in my life. There are days I shut down and don’t even pay attention to you. I’m sorry for that. You are never draining. You are always filling. Keep me in season today.

An Invitation: For anyone interested in sharing their personal reflections from this week’s readings, you are invited to come by the Tim Hortons donut shop at Dix-Toledo and Northline in Southgate this Sunday morning at 9:45am. We’ll have a cup of coffee and see what the Lord has been teaching us this week.