What do you do about a fruit tree that doesn’t bear fruit? They say it takes about three years for a fig tree to be able to bear fruit. The story of the fig tree in the gospel has had three years and still not produced any figs. What to do? The gardener is more patient than the owner, who wants to cut down the tree. The gardener knows that there is still the possibility that the tree will produce fruit and wants to give the tree a chance.
God teaches us, nurtures us, but do we bear fruit? I hope we all do in one way or another. There is a goodness, a generosity, in each of us that we can tap into.
Humus, as you know, refers to the organic composition of the soil formed by decomposition of materials. It’s the root word for humility. Growth calls for humility and patience, both in gardening and in life—not easy for those of us who are in a hurry or want to be in control—which is probably most of us.
It’s the importance of being patient with ourselves, for we can be our own worst critic, the importance of patience with those around us, especially when it’s easy to tear people down and tear apart institutions we judge as unproductive. Can we lovingly tend our fig trees in the hope of seeing fruit one day?
“Sir, leave it for this year also, and I shall cultivate the ground around it and fertilize it; it may bear fruit in the future.” (Luke 13:8-9)
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Fr. Ron, Thanks for another stellar collection of photos. Your focus on the fig tree resonates. My uncle was born in Italy, lived in Argentina and settled in the US, where he met and married my father’s sister. He patiently nurtured a fig tree in the less than hospitable climate of central PA. It never was fecund, but it, eventually, produced a few figs each year. On our trip to Aix en Provence, a friend of ours pointed out the fig trees that sprout up all over the city in crevices. Those “volunteer” figs seem to thrive and grow. Our friend is doing a video project on them. All best, Lynn >
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