Holy Tuesday - Jesus Curses A Fig Tree

Today marks Holy Tuesday in Holy Week—often referred to as Fig Tuesday due to the significant scriptural passages highlighting this sacred day in the historic Church.

The reference to figs comes from two Gospels, Matthew and Mark. To encapsulate the essence, I'll primarily draw from Mark's account.

After Palm Sunday, Jesus journeys to Jerusalem with His disciples, having spent time with friends in Bethany. As they approach a fig tree, He finds it barren. In an unexpected turn, He curses the tree, saying, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” (Mark 11:14, NIV). 

Notably, Mark clarifies that it was not the season for figs, adding depth to this curious moment.

Following this, Jesus and His disciples arrive at the Temple, where He confronts the religious leaders head-on by overturning the money changers' tables and driving out the sellers of doves. 

This dramatic act resonated deeply with the poor who had come to the Temple for Passover, forced to exchange their money at a fee and could only afford humble doves for sacrifice. Unsurprisingly, this bold move did not sit well with the priests and other guardians of the status quo.

On Tuesday morning, as they return to Bethany, they notice the fig tree, now withered from the curse. When Peter points this out, Jesus uses the opportunity to impart vital teachings on faith, repentance, and forgiveness.

This passage has intrigued scholars for years, but here is my reflection: Jesus aimed to illustrate how religious institutions can lose their essence, prioritizing superficial piety and the façade of correctness over authentic relationships with God and one another. 

The great English theologian, Archbishop William Temple, once cautioned, "It is a great mistake to think that God is chiefly interested in religion." 

The events of Holy Week are moments when we can reflect on that very thing. As theologians John Dominic Crossan and Marcus Borg state in "The Last Week", "Jesus is not simply a new prophet within the tradition; he is its radical reformer." 

Sadly, this error in prioritizing ritual over relationship has persisted for centuries—a mistake that Jesus sought to highlight with the fig tree’s miracle. 

When one strays from the true path, vitality fades, and purpose diminishes. The Temple had devolved into a profit-driven institution benefiting an elite, masking their intentions in the guise of religion. Jesus’ assertion that the Temple was meant to be a "house of prayer" and not "a den of robbers" struck at the heart of this corruption.

Holy Tuesday poignantly reminds us that our faith is far less important than our relationships. To embody the spirit of the Great Commandment—love God and Love Everybody—we must return to the core principles.

Reflect this week on how you might deepen your relationship with God through prayer, meditation, worship, and devotion. Recognize that an equally vital next step is to nurture your relationships with others through generosity, peacemaking, grace-giving, and unconditional love.

May this journey be transformative for you today and every day. May the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you now and always. Amen.