A Poem a Sunday

Lent III – C

February 28, 2016

Commentary:  Everyone is in need of repentance.  Those who repent will bear fruit.  God's mercy trumps our barrenness.  The fig tree foreshadows Calvary. Lots of preaching possibilities in the midst of Lent.  

St. Luke 13:1-9 - New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Repent or Perish

13 At that very time there were some present who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2 He asked them, “Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were worse sinners than all other Galileans? 3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as they did. 4 Or those eighteen who were killed when the tower of Siloam fell on them—do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others living in Jerusalem? 5 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish just as they did.”

The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree

6 Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and found none. 7 So he said to the gardener, ‘See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none. Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?’ 8 He replied, ‘Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig around it and put manure on it. 9 If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’”

A Poem a Sunday

Lent III – C

February 28, 2016

Tree of Life

Tree of Life in Eden sprouting

fertile ground of Paradise

its green leaves surmounting

from the deathly compost rise.

Seedlings spread throughout creation

keeping the deep hope alive

that every tribe and every nation

will live and not just survive.

On the other side of Eden

Eastern winds blow hard and harsh.

Humankind in barren wastelands

refugees are on the march.

Barren trees provide no refuge,

fruitless trees provide no hope.

Hunger strikes and people refuse

never knowing how to cope.

Yet one more year allow in patience

the barren tree in fertile soil

will spring forth in Eden; ancient

new life divinely royal.

Barren tree is now uplifted

upon Calvary it springs.

Fertile soil it has been gifted

and brings life eternally.

Copyright@A Poem a Sunday by Kenn Storck

May be used with permission – contact kennstorck@gmail.com