Gospel
Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple area.
He looked around at everything and, since it was already late,
went out to Bethany with the Twelve.
The next day as they were leaving Bethany he was hungry.
Seeing from a distance a fig tree in leaf,
he went over to see if he could find anything on it.
When he reached it he found nothing but leaves;
it was not the time for figs.
And he said to it in reply, “May no one ever eat of your fruit again!”
And his disciples heard it.
They came to Jerusalem,
and on entering the temple area
he began to drive out those selling and buying there.
He overturned the tables of the money changers
and the seats of those who were selling doves.
He did not permit anyone to carry anything through the temple area.
Then he taught them saying, “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.”
The chief priests and the scribes came to hear of it
and were seeking a way to put him to death,
yet they feared him
because the whole crowd was astonished at his teaching.
When evening came, they went out of the city.
Early in the morning, as they were walking along,
they saw the fig tree withered to its roots.
Peter remembered and said to him, “Rabbi, look!
The fig tree that you cursed has withered.”
Jesus said to them in reply, “Have faith in God.
Amen, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain,
‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’
and does not doubt in his heart
but believes that what he says will happen,
it shall be done for him.
Therefore I tell you, all that you ask for in prayer,
believe that you will receive it and it shall be yours.
When you stand to pray,
forgive anyone against whom you have a grievance,
so that your heavenly Father may in turn
forgive you your transgressions.”
Today the Gospel and reading point to the same message. God expects those who profess to be followers to produce good fruit. The fig tree though not in season for the main fruit had leaves signifying an early fruit was present. He was hungry and found the promise was empty.
Likewise, the leaders and those who were in the temple were suppose to reflect good fruit like justice and charity and mercy. But instead focused on profit for themselves.
I can profess I believe and worship Jesus, but if I do not produce good fruit, if I do not help build the kingdom and lead others to Jesus, I have failed. And the point is this isn’t a request or suggestion. To be a Christian requires us to be fruitful and be the light for others. So they can see the path to Jesus Christ.
Remember today that is what we are here for. To be faithful workers in his vineyard.
So when we face Jesus at the end of our life here, he will not see what looks like a fruitful disciple but one who has produced no fruit at all. No spiritual impact on others around us.
If we are lost or don’t know what that looks like we only have to ask for his help and he will show us. We just have to ask him, and he will give what we need to bear fruit and be good stewards of what we have been given in talents and treasure.
Deacon Tony Pynes 
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