Journal Precis: The Catholic Biblical Quaterly

This journal states that the fig tree in parable evokes the the ense that religion of the day was not producing the desired result of mercy and grace for all. It states that the religion of the day was not producing the fruit (figs) that God intended his followers to be. Conclusively, the author uses the fig tree as a metaphor for the sign of God's grace and patience in the person Jesus. The purpose of the community is to bear fruit that blesses the world and that the withered fig tree represents the lack of spiritual fruit by the Jews of the time (and the prophecy of the destruction of Jerusalem).






Brown, Scott G. "Mark 11:1-12:12: a triple intercalation?." The Catholic Biblical Quarterly 64.1 (Jan 2002): 78-89. General OneFile. Gale. St Marys High School (BAISL). 15 May 2008

Book #3: The Parables of Jesus by Arland Hultgren

This last book draws conclusions that differ from all my other research. Firstly, the author toys with the idea that 3 years have been understood by Luke have alluded to the three year ministry of jesus. Additionally, he says the two figures within the story (the owner and the laborer) can represent the two sides of god - judgment and mercy. He satates the this parable is a laden with a tone of urgency during a time of much conflict and violence, and that this parable is trying to convince people to repent. Interestingly, he says the landowner who comes looking for the fruit (and finds none) is God, and that he is stirred by the lack of fruitfullness, while the other side of God is all-merciful and prevails for the time.

Book #2: In Parables

This book focuses mainly on the summary of the parable, as well as the analysis of the translation. McKenna stated that the parable is about a king who converted an uncultivated field into a vineyard, but the vineyard would only produce wine that was sour. Futher, it said that the king decided to destroy the vineyard, but the workman persuaded him to give the young vineyard more time. The author then related this to Moses, as he pleaded on behalf of Israel, which came from a pagan (uncultivated) culture and was a nation, which Moses said be patient with them and they will perform good deeds, and then God did not destory the people.

Book #1: The Gospel Parables by Edward Armstrong

The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree

Armstrong concludes that the Parable of the Barren Fig Tree is to teach us more patience and attempt to give second chances. The parable stresses that to do nothing is to do harm. The Gardeners compassion for the tree, and the fact he did not give up hope, shows giving up hope does nothing. This parable is to warn us not to blame nature, rather than nurture.

DP #12: Why Systems fail to support the poor

Systems usually fail to support the poor because in all systems, someone has power over someone else, and it is shown, through the repetitive course of history, that humans abuse their power to benefit themselves. The systems are designed to create an organized societies, and thus far, the most 'successful', prosperous societies are one's with at least a little amount of leadership at the top of the social pyramid. This being said, those focused at the top of the pyramid often find themselves exploiting some of the less powerful in order to make a more successful society. Most systems today have become successful, on purpose or not, through the exploitation of people, and until the nature of humans evolve or people realize and change the faults of society, the systems will fail to support the powerless.

DP #11: The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant

The servant refused to repay the lower servant's debt because he is selfish and greedy. Since the servant did not forgive the debt, other servants will notice this harsh act and make sure all of debts owed to him are paid for. This servant selfishly takes anything he can get, no matter the consequences or contradictory nature of the actions. This servant exemplifies the cruel, greedy nature of people who Jesus desired to save.

DP #10: Jesus' Stand on Palestine and Israel

Jesus would solve the issue between Israel and Palestine by dividing the land as equally as possible, as viewed through a 3rd party. Jesus would give the Palestinians their fair share of the land, meaning give them the same percentage of land as equal to their population percentage, as well as land that is fertile and prime for farming. After reviewing many of Jesus' actions, and the people he supported during his time, I believe he would look at the situation as a by-stander, but take great sympathy with the Palestinians, and help them get the land that was theirs to begin with back. Of course, there is no simple answer to this ever complicating problem, and even Jesus would have trouble solving it, but he would try to be as fair and level headed as possible.