I was pleasantly surprised to see your name at the top of this reflection Carolyn.Thank you for your wonderful reflection and for digging deeper into the use of the fig tree throughout the bible and in the teaching moments of Jesus. Currently you have JavaScript disabled. December 2019 Hope Start your day out in a quiet place to pray- ask for the Holy Spirit to guide you. A little nap under the fig tree promised the ultimate experience of peace. May the Good LORD hear and answer all our prayers through Christ our Lord. January 2020 Oops meant to write “stay-at-Home mom” in comment above, Pls pray for me So i can pass the university interview and get the slot in University,if it’s God will,let your will be done Oh God, thank you for that wonderful and insight reflection. The fig tree provides unique symbolism in the Bible and understanding this symbolism can help us on our spiritual journey. There are two things to take note of here. Hopefully we have made some progress in being kinder to others and giving those around us a little more care and attention, because of the graces we are receiving through the increase in our prayer life. In light of this, any positive mention of a fig tree, or its good fruit, conjured up images of well-earned Godly abundance and goodness. I Really Learnt Something Today. January 2018 Typically when leaves were present, figs would be as well. The Cursing of the Fig Tree. September 2017 April 15, 2019 With all that is going on in the world, it’s hard to focus on the events that led to the crucifixion. This sermon was preached by Claire Biggs at the CCM Kingsway site of Christ Church Manchester on Sunday 24th November 2019. Not only did Adam and Eve use its leaves to cover themselves in Genesis, the fig tree drops its un-ripened fruit in Revelation. Come on over to http://carissahardage.com/ and follow or subscribe to continue getting bog post updates from Faith and the Fig Tree! Giving And all the Global light for christ members. Tuesday, January 5. That unbelief automatically disqualifies a person from having their prayers answered. Good to have you here with us. This chapter also features a Markan sandwich. July 2019 Thanks Dear. Why Is This Important? We need his words every day to direct our part back to God. We’re going too start with sharing our personal journeys. May 2018 So, they argue, Jesus was simply saying; “when the fig tree buds you know that summer is near – likewise, when you see all these things happening, know that the end is near”. Scripture In Question • SLIDE #5 • Mark 11:22–23 (HCSB) — 22 Jesus replied to them, “Have faith in God. The fig tree that you cursed has withered.’ And Jesus answered them, ‘Have faith in God. Sunday, August 25 Faith and the Fig Tree is moving!! ? Faith Hall Of Fame From Genesis to Revelation mention of its fruit and leaves are woven throughout. July 2018 The disciples saw it shrink and asked Him how. October 2015 I’ve heard people say that they think this was just a figure of speech or exaggeration, because they don’t believe anyone could move a mountain. Fig tree symbolism is rather edifying. September 2019 November 2015 Fig Tree vs Mountain Faith. March 2020 I recently asked for prayers concerning my reckless driving charge. It will be me and my two boys alone all summer long. October 2017 FGK, your little boy may just need more time. The mention of bad fruit would bring to mind the distancing of God and the withdrawal of his hand to people of biblical times. Significant care and attention must be given to this tree before fruit is produced. July 2015 God has placed his fig tree in the world and is waiting for fruit, those who are faithful to Him. We don’t live near Family. December 2017 But the priests in our parishes are also the workers in the Lord’s vineyard who bring God’s word to us and bring the love of Jesus Christ to us through the sacrament of communion and through their homilies. I pray for your needs also. Family Jesus contrasts the judgment of the barren fig tree, with the faith in God that makes everything possible: “For nothing will be impossible with God,” (Luke 1:37). Carolyn Berghuis MS, ND, CTN is a best-selling author, inspirational speaker, traditional naturopath, and free-lance Catholic writer. Faith Lessons From The Fig Tree by RELEVANT. Jesus told His disciples that they could do even greater miracles than withering the fig tree, if they had faith and did not doubt. Books Of The Bible God bless your husband and especially you who will need strength and confidence to help you ti continue to be a loving mother to your beautiful sons. Pray For Me For Victory And Prosperity In Life. Encouragement I realize that this sounds really silly to pray for, but it’s my lack of patience that concerns me. Faith & Works Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. September 2015 Please pray that my husband and I will teach and lead our sons by our loving, patient examples. February 2014 'Have faith in God,' Jesus answered. January 2014, "Faith is ... the certainty of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1). Jesus is going to use this fig tree to teach the disciples an important lesson concerning faith; hence, Fig Tree and Faith. The Christian Faith Your email address will not be published. April 2014 I try to be patient but some days I get so upset. The first three verses of this section form the second part of the story of the fig tree (11:12–14), which sandwiches the account of the cleansing of the temple. I was surprised at how eager everyone was about joining the spiritual friendship circle. It’s not like I live on a farm or vineyard or wherever fig trees are really grown. Jesus saw the fig tree in the distance. September 2020 May 2020 A Twofold Lesson on Faith. Openness to learn, to heal and not to judge – above all to love those who are different from us! Mention of its good fruit and bad fruit in Jeremiah divided the “good” and “bad” people; those who followed God’s commands and those who did not. I Trust GOD and JESUS CHRIST, So Please Accept My Faith. I think he just doesn’t want to stop doing what he’s doing and I don’t know how else to tell him that he needs to put his toy down and go in the potty. God Bless You! November 2016 June 2018 August 2020 For one, I’m not even sure if they grow in Iowa, and why should I care anyway? I’m relying on my employer to deposit money in my bank account on payday. April 2019 November 2019 You and your family and all here are in my prayers. To FGK- You have a lot going on in your life right now with your boys and husband. Your insights are so helpful in helping me understand scripture. Thanks Carolyn for another enlightening reflection. August 2015 Persecution Click here for instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your browser. August 2018 Perhaps the gardener in Luke 13:1-9 is Jesus Christ who in the end will judge our lives. Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. The fig tree provides unique symbolism in the Bible and understanding this symbolism can help us on our spiritual journey. The fig tree is the third tree to be mentioned by name in the Hebrew Bible. My husband and I did not have family near us either so I realize how difficult this is. January 2017 The Life Of Jesus Unless otherwise stated, blog posts are written by R. Herbert, Ph.D.,  who writes for a number of Christian venues – including our sister site: TacticalChristianity.org​For more about us, see our About Page. Point 1 – Faith is defined as a “firm, relying trust.” Firm says it’s not going anywhere. June 2014 November 2017 July 2017 My court case was this week and, thanks to the grace of God, everything went well. NYC is filled with single people who live alone. He has faith in you and will give you strength in all your mothering. Enter your email to receive notifications of new Daily Reflection Posts. Jesus curses the fig tree and the disciples hear him. August 2019 In this parable, God is the man, the fig tree is Israel, and the vineyard is the world. January 2015 Sermon from CCM:Kingsway; LISTEN. April 2016 I ask the triune God to continue to give us good health of body and mind, so that we can continue to unite in our worship to thee. The people of this nation are in a covenant relationship with God, and they might outwardly appear to observe his Law. Please pray for my son who is struggling to overcome his addictions, and for him to find a job, and pray for me that I always be open to, and have the courage to follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit. They were as … Click here for instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your browser. November 2014 I will pray for God to help you have more patience with this. Relationships February 2018 March 2016 Jesus’ response to the disciples reveals more than what happened to the fig tree. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” What the story means to us today December 2014 June 17, 2004 . Peter remembered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, look! Dr. Douglas Wingate, Ph.D. Life Christian University. November 2020 January 2019 July 2016 Carolyn is currently pursuing an MA in Pastoral Theology at Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology. March 2015 May the Blessed Virgin Mary be present in each group – guiding Her Son’s children as a Mother – so many of her children are hurting and hiding – not recognizing – each have been gifted with ” balm ” and the ability to wrap those wounds with listening hearts and sighs of compassion! You have been missed. The Jewish people also knew that it took time for the fig tree to grow. Friends in Christ, please join me in prayer for my husband and for all spouses who need to forgive or be forgiven. (For the theological significance of this “intercalation,” see Overview, 11:15–19.) May 2015 Have we noticed any new growth in our soul and how we treat others? I need prayer for my work to be noticed to as many clients. The normal is gone and we struggle to replace what we knew with something new. withers, but the disciples have passed the tree and don't yet notice that it withered. Prayer Thank you Carolyn for your encouraging outlook and prayers for all of us. The Christian Calling Finally, my husband is in the military. Carolyn also holds a BS in Mathematics, a MS in Holistic Nutrition and a doctoral degree in Naturopathy. I have in mind to use BISHOP Barron’s Catholicism series as a means of better understanding our catholic life as church today. The good news is that the Holy Spirit will give you the strength you need- that was how we made it! February 2017 Yummy figs and the reception of God’s blessings are both worth waiting for indeed. Solemnity of the Baptism of the Lord, January 10, 2021-“My Son, My Beloved, My Chosen One”, Saturday January 9, 2021: The Four Way Test for Prayer. Read Next. Gratitude August 2016 Prayers for faith groups started in our church community. God God bless you in your vocation and perhaps you could look at this situation as God using your son to help you develop (even more) patience. May 2016 Love June 2020 God bless you all. October 2014 First, Jesus explains the power and importance of faith — it is faith in God that gave him the power to curse the fig tree and make it wither overnight and similar faith on the disciples’ part will give them the power to work other wonders. April 2018 July 2020 June 2017 There is yet another connection between the withering of the fig tree and the quality of faith. Truth This message was part of the ‘SERIES NAME’ series, preached at Christ Church Manchester’s church in Burnage in EARLY/MID/LATE YEAR. God Bless you, and thank you. November 2018 Jesus pointed out how that was nothing compared to casting a mountain into the sea. Thank God for his words. That our marriages produce an abundance of figs. Does it? Louise/NYC. My family, my work and my private life. May 2014 However, after many years of attending mass, receiving the sacraments and being involved in the life of the parish, it should begin to show in how we treat one another. Relying means to depend on it actually happening. History & The Bible For the first time–ever–churches will be shuttered. April 2020 Thanks be to God for this beautiful reflection,Our lady of perpetual help come to our aid o Loveing mother. Jesus and the disciples return to Bethany in the evening; likely it's too dark to see the tree. ! The fig tree that you cursed has withered.” 22 And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. Please pray for his safety and again for my patience with all things. God bless and keep you and your entire family. I don’t know much about fig trees. It is a great story of how faith works, and a revelation of what God wants from His children. It is especially popular among Christians who teach faith healing. Pray for my great nephew Jack James (JJ) born yesterday that his parents raise him bathed in God’s love and he grow up to be a Godly man. Thank you Carolyn for reflection and for the prayer petitions you help us in praying too. May 2017 Our parish communities also works toward cultivating a welcoming atmosphere and encouragement to be actively involved in the life of the parish. Yes, I took your suggestion and invited a group of parishioners to a monthly meeting for spiritual nourishment and support. Faith & Trust 23 Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Dealing With Doubt S) In Matthew 21: 18-22 we read that Jesus spoke to a fig tree and it withered away. I know I need to work on non-judgement. December 2016 Amen. God Bless you and all those who write for this website.Prayers for all those who have requested prayers above. The Lord heard everyone’s prayers. Fellowship DAILY MASS READINGS AND REFLECTIONS @ ACATHOLIC.ORG, 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A, October 25,2020-"Love or nothing". Thus, instead of merely cursing and killing a lowly fig tree, Jesus is saying that Judaism itself is cursed and will die off — “dry up at the roots,” as a later passage explains when the disciples see the tree the next day (in Matthew, the tree dies immediately). Though other prayer requests may seem “bigger” being a stay takes prayer with each step. Spiritual Growth Faith doesn’t work in an uncertain or timid fashion, but faith acts in confidence. July 2014 Both major and minor prophets of the Old Testament and Jesus himself used fig tree imagery beautifully. He’s getting ready to head out of the country for the next 2-3 months. He was seeing a GI doctor for constipation, but I don’t think it’s that anymore. According to Mark 11:12-14, 20-24, when Jesus saw a certain fig tree with leaves but no fruit, he cursed it and, as a result, the tree withered. ONE of the more puzzling passages in the Bible is the account of Jesus and the barren fig tree. Like this fig tree, the nation of Israel has a deceptive appearance. As they near the fig tree, Peter points it out, and he and the disciples April 2017 The first is the Tree of life and the second is the Tree of the knowledge of good and evil . www.CarolynBerghuis.com. Praise and be grateful for each time he gets it “right”. Please pray for my colleagues health. You will find that you will act in a confident manner when you live by faith. It can be very isolating I know. As a girl from Iowa, there hasn’t been much need to ever learn about them. But when Jesus approached the tree, he could find no figs (fruit). Dear God please open our eyes so we can see our faults and show us the way to correct them. I Accept Your Religious Faith, However, My Faith Is Inclusive of a Father God, Jesus Christ as His Holy Son, and the Holy Spirit, Because I Champion THEM as the True Keys to Life, Truth, and Physical Success!!! So many in your family are relying on you. Yet, as Mark plainly says, it wasn’t the season for figs. Both accounts are … Amen. His Heart Was Moved with Pity. March 2014 Dear FGK, The fig tree you cursed has withered!' December 2015 Christianity Culture Faith and the Fig Tree. Amen. February 2020 February 2015 August 2014 As ministers of faith, it is incumbent upon us to continue to seek deeper understanding of God’s Word in order to relay the truths that we find to others in order to help them in their Christian walk. And how can we better understand our place in God’s universe by developing a bit of an understanding of the fig tree? March 2019 Biblical Concepts Thank you for the clarifying the symbolism of the fig tree. 'Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. Upon coming to the tree expecting to find something to eat, Jesus instead discovered that the fig tree had no fruit on it and cursed the tree saying, “May no fruit ever come from you again!” (Matthew 21:19; Mark 11:14). Faith and the Fruit of a Fig Tree. Family and congregation celebrations postponed. February 2016 It’s standing strong and firm. June 2019 Jesus responds to the disciples' expressions of wonder with a brief discourse on faith and prayer, and while this makes it less clear that the dead fig tree is related to the fate of the temple, in Matthew 24:32–35 the author follows Mark closely in presenting the "lesson" (in Greek, parabole) of the budding tree as a sign of the certain coming of the Son of Man. I believe but please help my unbelieve. Please pray that my two young sons will always love, serve, honor and follow our ever faithful God and savior. October 2020 September 2014 January 2016 Peace with you. The Fig Tree, The Temple and Faith. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. The chapter contains the stories of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, cursing of a fig tree, aggressive act in the temple, teaching on prayer, and authority being questioned. Oct 3, 2016 - The Gospels of Matthew and Mark both tell the story of how Jesus cursed a fig tree which had no fruit just outside of Jerusalem. My charge was reduced to a speeding infraction. October 2019 Greetings Carolyn, Thank you so much for your reflections. Amen. August 2017 Yet, maybe that’s what we need. September 2016 Christian Living They may even be able to move mountains, though that is arguably a bit of hyperbole on his part. March 2018 Old Testament prophets Micah and Jeremiah used the fig tree as a metaphor for faithfulness: a barren fig tree is compared to faithless Israel (Jeremiah 8:13, Micah 7:1). June 2015 Jesus’ faith was so confident that the fig tree would wither that He passed by the same tree that night to show the disciples the tree. October 2016 Quite simply – the fig tree is one of the last trees to bud in the spring and so when it’s leaves are budding we know that summer is just around the corner! Accidents are very common for his young age! Jerusalem along the same road. Please pray that I will be patient with my potty trained 3 year old who continually is having “accidents” in his pants. In an effort to be a little more organized and streamlined I have combined a few social media outlets into one website! Not only did Adam and Eve use its leaves to cover themselves in Genesis, the fig tree drops its un-ripened fruit in … God Bless you. you are blessed and also all the crews who have made this site possible to view. Behind The Stories I need your prayer for my mom and grand mom and my wife and all my entire families.Amen. Discipleship All you have to do is ask DAILY for the Holy Spirit to come to you & your family. Trust in the Lord for the groups formed – that this is the doing of the Holy Spirit! Using you as an instrument, spreading the gospel to everyone in catholic moment. The fig tree is a common tree in the Bible as well. March 2017 Just days prior they shouted “ Hosanna” to their King, but later would turn to cry out “Crucify him”! The fig tree you cursed has withered!” “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. All For where two or three are gathered in My name, there I Am with them. The Venus Flytrap. 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