Acknowledging the Fig Tree

This morning as I was reading a passage from the bible a certain story made me think longer. I was trying to decipher what some things could mean. It was from the Gospel of John chapter 1 verses 45-51.

Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”

 “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked.

“Come and see,” said Philip.

 When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, “Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.”

 “How do you know me?” Nathanael asked.

Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.”

 Then Nathanael declared, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.”

 Jesus said, “You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that.”  He then added, “Very truly I tell you, you will see ‘heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”

I found it interesting when Nathaneal had doubts and questions when speaking with Phillip about Jesus. I also was interested to know the significance of the fig tree. Jesus saw and knew Nathaneal He states, while Nathaneal was under the fig tree. This Gospel reading was read and reflected upon at today's Mass which I also found interesting and caused for more reflection. I found out the fig tree relates back to Israel which makes sense going back to my first post relating to the meaning and correlation between Israel and the fig tree. But also that Jesus had compassion and love for Israel and met them where they were at, yet guiding them as well. Nathaneal showcases doubt and hesitation at first but then is open and really sees Jesus for who He is. Nathaneal knows that Jesus will lead and guide, if only he trusts and puts his faith in Him. The saint's feast day today is St. Bartholomew also known as Nathaneal, who was one of the twelve apostles. Jesus meets us right where we are at and wants us to be honest, and open with Him, just like Nathaneal was. 

Final points on 'No God but One'

Who is Muhammad

The Heart of the Matter

I have wanted to know more about Jesus' sacred heart and grow in more devotion. I have recently learned that the month that I was born is addressed to His sacred heart. My sister's friend got married on the divine feast of Jesus' sacred heart, and I found that to be powerful and moving. I have become more interested and invested in learning more about the sacrament of the Eucharist and how it reveals Jesus' most sacred heart as well as his body, blood, soul and divinity. Not only attending adoration but also reading these types of spiritual books has made me stronger in faith, with and wanting an ardent desire and love for Him and this sacrament.

A book that I just recently started reading goes into detail, and rediscovering the devotion to the sacred heart of Jesus. This pink and red cover with a heart of flames and thorns depicts the image of Jesus' love and desire for us, for our hearts.

In the beginning of the book, it describes and goes into all the sayings we have in the English language referring to hearts or our hearts. Some of them include, 'to have a big heart', 'a cold heart', 'wear your heart on your sleeves', 'my heart goes out to you', 'take heart', 'to have a change of heart', a heart of gold' to name a few. The author explains the meaning and importance of hearts. "The feelings of one's heart, though sometimes sentimental, run deeper than the strongest emotions. The heart is not passive. The heart makes decisions. From the heart, acts of the will arise...The symbol of the heart has lost none of its meaning and power despite the rush of modern times. The heart is a universal and perennial symbol. More than conveying a romantic feeling, it symbolizes courage and compassion. The heart is the symbol of true love, that love for which every human being is searching" (A Heart on Fire, p 3-4).

The heart is a really important part of the person, and we get to see and understand through Jesus' words and actions what the heart really means. I have an interest in learning more about saint's lives who were mystics and had a deep devotion to Jesus' sacred heart. I immediately think of Padre Pio and St. Gemma Galgani who both had the stigmata, lived simple and quiet lives and experienced physical attacks from the devil. In the book, 'A heart on fire', it mentions some saints who encountered Jesus' beautiful gift.

"The first appearance in which Jesus revealed his heart was recorded by a Benedictine Cistercian nun, St. Lutgard. Jesus first appeared to her when she was a lay woman of 17. He showed her the wound in his side. After entering the convent, St. Lutgard was given a special grace to be able to understand the psalms as they were sung in Latin, a language she had not learned. This was in response to her request for help in her prayer life. When she complained that this wasn't enough, Jesus appeared to her and asked her what she wanted. Her response was, 'I want your heart!' To which Jesus responded, 'And still more do I want yours!' "
Other saint stories mentioned include St. Catherine of Siena and St. Francis and St. Margaret Mary, St. Faustina to name a few.

I've learned more and more that the Eucharist is Jesus' love revealed, burning with fire. In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus says that he 'wishes to set the world on fire, and how he wishes it were already blazing.' This relates to his divine love and heart for his children. The devotion to His most Sacred Heart grows and flourishes in relationship through the Eucharist. I remember when I was having a really rough time and not feeling so great, my sister recommended that I go to Eucharistic adoration. I felt so alone prior, and even if I didn't immediately feel the effects of going, I knew it was helpful and needed for healing and intimacy with Jesus and his sacred heart.

We can all learn and grow more in love and to Jesus' inviting heart through the Eucharist. My patron saint for this year, St. Therese' of Lisieux is all about a deep love for Jesus and his sufferings. I hope that she can be of intercessor for me and learn from her example.

Islam vs. Christianity Part 3

Islam and Christianity viewpoint: Jesus is God, the Trinity

Islam vs. Christianity- Nabeel Qureshi's book ' No God but One'

Sour Grapes No Longer

Ever since my days watching 'I Love Lucy', I always remembered certain episodes. These episodes were famous for Lucille Ball's humor, quirky behavior, with no shame added for a heightened laughter effect. These episodes were well known even to those who didn't watch 'I Love Lucy' or at least were not the loyal viewer of the redheaded comedienne and her Cuban husband, Ricky. I can't forget funny and classic episodes of Lucy like the one when she is working at a chocolate factory assembly line with her friend Ethel. They couldn't keep up the pace and soon had no other choice but to stuff the chocolate in their mouths and their shirts! Ethel and Lucy have comic situations like these, getting in and out of trouble.

Another episode that comes to my mind is when Lucy learns how to smash grapes in a big barrel to turn into wine. It's another famous episode for lovers or likers alike of the redheaded star. Last year, when I went to a wine tasting event with a local young adult ministry, the owners of the winery mentioned a smashing grape event coming up and my eyes lit up. For a while, I have wanted to participate in a smashing grape event. Something about being part of the process of making grapes into wine, and feeling the juicy fresh fruit beneath and around my toes sounds enticing and like an overall cool experience. I would still like to do that someday.

Upon reflecting about the funny thought of smashing grapes with your feet, I couldn't help but think about the deep meaning behind it all relating to the Eucharist, the body and blood of Jesus Christ. A couple of weeks ago, I finished a book by Fulton J. Sheen called The Life of Christ. It was a thick book that took me a couple of moths to finish, but I'm glad I pulled through because I learned a lot of the deeper meaning and messages regarding Jesus' life and ministry. One of them I had to write down and keep in my quote book.

  "Why did our Blessed Lord use bread and wine as the elements of this memorial? First of all, because no two substances in nature better symbolize unity than bread and wine. As bread is made from a multiplicity of grains of wheat, and wine is made from a multiplicity of grapes, so the many who believe are one in Christ. Second, no two substances in nature have to suffer more to become what they are than bread and wine...Grapes in their turn must be subjected to the Gethsemane of a wine press and have their life crushed from them to become wine. Thus they symbolize the passion and sufferings of Christ..." Life of Christ

It would be something else to be part of the wine making process. Not only that, but to reflect upon and witness what Fulton J. Sheen wrote about the humility and sufferings of grapes being made into wine and Jesus presenting Himself in it. What a beautiful thing.

Greet the Fig Tree

I love trees. They provide so much to the earth such as oxygen, shade, beauty and a place for birds to rest and fruit to grow. I love the trees of summer with their lush green leaves, and nice silhouettes in the twilight of the dog days. The trees of the season of autumn are just as glorious but bring about a feeling of reflection and melancholy. Their leaves showcase an array of colors. I never grow tired of the trees of the harvest.

Trees bring about an importance in nature as well as literature such as Lord of the Rings. In this story, the trees can talk and walk and are the peacemakers in times of war and division. In the children's story, 'The Giving Tree', the young boy learns that the tree is full of love and generosity even as he grows older and stops spending time with it. Trees also give a metaphorical meaning in places such as the Bible, including a certain kind of tree, a fig tree. But first some background information regarding fig trees. "The fig tree is very common in Palestine. Mount Olivet was famous for its fig trees in ancient times, and they are still found there. 'To sit under one's own vine and ones own fig tree' became a proverbial expression among the Jews to denote peace and prosperity. The fig tree is a picture of Israel, to highlight the fact that what should have been most fruitful turns out to be not fruitful at all."

Something else to know about fig trees is that the fruit grows before the leaves, and these trees can bear fruit in spring, summer, fall, and even winter. Also figs are prized for their sweetness and flavor. Trees and particularly fig trees appear a good amount in the Bible and provide deep meaning. For instance, the parable of the barren fig tree portrays the unfruitful and unfaithfulness of Israel and how the tree will be cut down if it will not bear fruit- pertaining to Israel's faith and relationship with God. Jesus states or rather demands that this fig tree will no longer bear fruit. A little while later, one of his disciples, Peter sees the same fig tree and realizes that it is destroyed, barren and he tells Jesus. Jesus says to his disciples if you have faith even to move a mountain, then it will be done.

The story of Adam and Eve in Genesis and the tree of good and evil. This was the world's first sin against God that structured how human beings are born with original sin. The sin that Adam and Eve did was the biggest and most common temptation from the devil which was knowing as God knows and not relying on God. It is easy for us as humans to forget that God is in charge and has a plan for our lives, and that we are not gods. After Adam and Eve sinned they realized what they had done and hid. In response to their guilt they covered themselves with fig leaves. The parable of cutting down trees based on their fruit, and by their fruit you will know them. The fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness. These are just a few examples in scripture that deal with trees, figs and fruit, and there are more that convey meaningful and insightful messages as well.

I hope for say hello to the fig tree to be a place relating to scripture in the Bible, the history, culture, religion and geography of Israel and the Middle East specifically during Jesus' time, the differences between Islam and Christianity and conversion stories to Catholicism, the languages of the Bible and the similarities between Arabic and Hebrew. These are just some ideas that I have for this cultural and spiritual blog that my heart has been yearning to write and create as well as desiring to share and continue to progress in my learning. Just like the branches of a tree that continue to keep growing, expanding, and blooming, I hope for this fig tree to do the same and bear much fruit.