Lent 3

Lectionary readings are:

Exodus 3:1-15
1 Corinthians 10:1-13
Luke 13:1-9

Moses and the burning bush - a tree with a message that is easy to understand.
Jesus and the parable of the fig tree - a tree with a rather elusive message.

The context is people talking to Jesus about those who have suffered - and Jesus warns that they mustn't fall into the trap of thinking that it's sinful people who suffer. In the light of Haiti, Peru, and (today's news - a mudslide in) Uganda I really want to hear what Jesus has to say to us... but then we get this parable of the unfruitful fig-tree in the vineyard. The owner wants to chop it down - the vine-dresser/gardener asks for another year to give the tree a chance. And... that's it.

So far I think I see that Jesus might be saying that instead of looking at others we should attend to our own lives & our own fruit, and that the judging time will come in the end...but so far that's it. I wonder what happened to the tree?

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