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.

DP #9: Parable of the Wicked Tenant Corner Stone

The cornerstone is God, and Jesus is telling people to embrace her. Jesus is stating the builders are the people in society, and in this Parable, the tenants have been rejecting God and following a unholy way of life. Through the Parable of the Wicked Tenants and Jesus' reference to scriptures, Jesus tries to show his listeners God needs to be in the foundation of society for it to succeed.

DP #8: Parable of The Wicked Tenants

In the Parable of the Wick Tenants, the Landowner is the protagaonist because he gets abused and tormented by the tenants. Although some may say the tenant is the protagaonist because the tenant is the victim in a society where the wealth is located only at the very top of the social ladder, however the actions of the tenants are so cruel and uncalled for that the landowner becomes the vicitm. Though the landowner has an extreme amount of wealth, the tenants killing the son and all of his servants is never acceptable. The Parable of the Wicked Tenant shows not only of the negative effects of a society where only a select few owns most of the wealth on the poor peasants, yet it shows how it negatively effects everyone involved in this unequal economic structure.

DP: The Mustard Seed

The metaphor of the mustard seed tells us that the kingdom of heaven, though has potential to become great, is can be dangerous when not properly applied. The kingdom of heaven is meant to be a source of joy for humanity, as is mustard, but can be detrimental to many because as an ultimate goal it can cloud judgement. Many people wish for a checklist or guarantee pass into heaven which can destroy morality like a pervasive weed to a crop. The mustard seed metaphor reveals the negative sides of the Kingdom of Heaven that potentially could corrupt individuals, turning a positive thing sour.

Why is there extreme poverty?

The reason there is extreme poverty is because of ignorance and greed, stemming from our modern society's ideals. People living all around the world, too involved in their own trivial problems, continually ignore problems outside their own community, whether purposely or not. Modern society, exemplified in the United States, has transformed into a greed strictin society which sole purpose is to achieve greater wealth and more possessions. Unfortunately, this expontentially growing society, teaching ignorance and selfishness, will only help those in need when they overcome this greediness, or realistically, it becomes benefiticial to do so.

DP #5: Why the U.S. does not meet it's stated aid goals

The U.S. fails to meet it's yearly goal for developement aid because of the lack of motivation and commitment by the U.S. people and their delegates. Of course there are people in America who commit their lives to help Africa, yet as a whole America is too consumed by their own personal struggles and goals that they fail to feel the need to help those they do not encounter. The American People have learned to ignore the extreme poverty and disgusting situation in Africa, making it possible for them to justify their lack of help. The fact is, the American people either ignore the situation, or cannot see themselves as equal to those dying in Africa, enabling our country to give extremely low amounts of aid to this deconstructing countries.

DP #4: Clues into Jesus' Teachings

The Canticles in Luke, Jesus' refugee experience and the context of 1st century Palestine lead us to expect that Jesus' teachings will address those who are suppressed and mistreated. During the first century, 70% of Palestine was living in extreme poverty, while the wealthy were leaving disgustingly well. Similarily, there were many refugees concerning Jesus' history and life. These situations that Jesus grew up learning or experiencing shows us that Jesus will focus his life to helping these people and their tragic situations.

DP #3: What Does the Inclusion of the four women tell us about Jesus' message and teachings?

These four women, all strong willed and extremely intelligent, tell us that Jesus will defy his expected role in society, as well as be remembered in history for centuries to come. The women mentioned in Jesus’ genealogy changed their future, as well as the future of their later generations. The women, whether ethically or not, took their unjust situations and greatly improved them. Jesus, like these strong, independent women, can be expected to be an independent, tough man who, motivated to improve grave situations and people lives, would change the world.

Dp #1: Why We Tell Stories

When I was five years old, my family and I took a vacation to Italy. There, we stayed in a friend's house who happened to own a horse, Bamboo. At the time, I was fascinated with horses so I always offered to be the one to feed it. The story my parents often tell is when I was asking to feed Bamboo, I told them I wanted to feed Bamboo a big bikini. They asked "Are you sure that is what you want to feed Bamboo?" Then I responded, "Yes! Lets go pick a big bikini to give to the horse!" Of course, I was talking about a zucchini, but I didn't know that. Everyone in the room started to laugh at me, but I did not understand my mistake. Eventually, I learned the difference between bikini and zucchini, but from time to time, this infamous story is told. I think that my parents enjoy telling this story because it is one that represents my personality as a child. The story not only tells of a funny mistake young children often make, but it also reminds everyone of enjoyable times on our vacation so long ago. That vacation marked a time in our family, especially for my parents, that we will all remember for the rest of our lives. It was a time before siblings protested family vacation, and a time just before we all started becoming adolesents. My parents love to tell this story because it encapsulates that seems all too long ago.