In places where agriculture is a way of living, time is often reckoned with the changing of seasons. The budding of fruit-producing trees is a good way to tell season change. The almond tree blossoms around early February. Known as saqed in Hebrew, the root word is also a verb that means “to watch.” There is logic here, since the almond tree’s blossoms of white and pink are a harbinger of spring in Israel (cf Jer 1:11). The fig tree, on the other hand, yields two harvests a year when the plant is well tended. The first fruits, known as “early figs,” ripen in June; the second, called “late figs,” ripen around August-September.
Trees tell us of the passage from dormancy to growth, which is also a passage from death to life. In like fashion, Jesus’ coming will be a passage from agony to redemption, from old world to new.
Gospel • Lk 21:29-33
Jesus taught his disciples a parable. “Consider the fig tree and all the other trees. When their buds burst open, you see for yourselves and know that summer is now near; in the same way, when you see these things happening, know that the Kingdom of God is near. Amen, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.”
SOURCE: “365 Days with the Lord 2019,” ST. PAULS, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; Fax 632-895-7328; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.