Luke 21:25-36 – The First Sunday of Advent – for November 29, 2015

“Look at the fig tree and all the trees. When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near . . .” (Luke 21:29-30)

Anticipating signs for the so-called second coming, Jesus gestured toward a fig tree in Luke’s Gospel. When the tree sprouted, “summer is near.” Likewise, the powers of heaven will be shaken and soon people would witness . . . the “Son of Man coming on a cloud.”

But for me, maybe the Bible’s, er, wrong! Evidence of our approaching winter (not summer) has been confirmed by the sprouting of a fig tree along the route of my typical morning walk. A few strides from home, inching toward the sky, is a random ficus carica. It grows. It sprouts leaves. And now, with winter near, with Advent upon us, with Jesus’ cautionary comments about figs rattling ‘bout my lectionary wonderings, I see the first fig fruits emerging.

Yikes! A warning! A warning? Continue reading →