Holy Week: Monday

Pascha Day 1

Monday 4/14/2014

As lent slowly begins to end, we are approached with perhaps the greatest spiritual week, Pascha week. The word  pascha is a Coptic word meaning pass over, an event that was first celebrated by the Israelites prior to their exodus out of Egypt. During this week, our beloved church has created for us an organization of passages from both the Old and New Testament. These passage allow us to follow Christ's steps to the crucifixion.

Just yesterday, the church was filled with joyful tunes as the congregation shared in proclaiming "Hosanna in the Highest". However, the mouths who sang joyfully and welcomed Christ into Jerusalem, shouted bitterly on Good Friday "Crucify Him". We too are no different. We appear to want to welcome Christ in our hearts, yet crucify him multiple times a day.

Today, we are reminded of the cursed and unfruitful fig tree.

Matthew 21:19- "Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” Immediately the tree withered.

There are three main aspects to consider when contemplating on this verse.

1."Found nothing on it except leaves"

2. "May you never bear fruit again"

3. "Withered"

"Found nothing on it except leaves", allows us to understand that the tree was in fruit bearing season. It was well nourished and had all the resources needed to bear fruit. In John 15:5, we learn “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.

Those who bear leaves are those who are knowledgeable of the law. They understand good from evil but have dedicated their resources to the present life. We too bear many leaves: such as earthly desires, cares of the world, as well as dreams and thoughts that do not incorporate Christ in our lives. We make hasty decisions without asking for His will, eat meals without giving grace and sleep without thanking Him for the countless blessing that he has showered us without throughout the day. 

"May you never bear fruit again", reminds us that if we display nothing but leaves, we will never be fruitful. If our priorities in this life are the desires of this world, we will never bear spiritual fruit that Christ hungers for. We must grow in virtue, in love, in wisdom and in reverence of others. In Colossians 1:10  we are asked to "walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God". We are not expected to strictly follow the laws and commandments sent to us, rather, we are expected to take action and do good works and bear fruit.

Finally, we must fear becoming "Withered" ... This aspect was the punishment of the fig tree and the church reminds us that one day we will all stand in front of the Throne of God and will be held accountable for every second spent here on earth. How many seconds have you taken out of your day so far to remember His suffering or even His passion on the cross that you have placed him on?

This parable reminds us that if we do not bear fruit during our years that are accounted for here on earth, we will wither and die. Again, in John 15:6, we are reminded that "If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered." 

As David the Psalmist says in Psalm 1:3

He shall be like a tree
    Planted by the rivers of water,
    That brings forth its fruit in its season,
    Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper.

Give Christ the chance to nourish you and you will prosper.

 Finally, If Christ was to evaluate your life as of this moment, would you have been withered or considered fruitful? May God have mercy on us and grant that we may one day "walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with long suffering, bearing with one another in love" Ephesians 4:1-2 and bearing forth fruit in due season.