Brian Tolle

Recovering the Word: Religion

6:48:00 PM

Fig Trees and Temple Theatrics

11:27:00 AM

In today's Holy Week Reading (Mark 11:12-25) we read about Jesus cursing a Fig Tree and performing prophetic street theatre in the temple. What do we make of these events?

It is the day after Palm Sunday. Jesus had spent the night before in Bethany with the twelve. Jesus now is hungry and sees a fig tree. Unfortunately there are no figs, only leaves. Jesus then curses it, "may no one ever eat fruit from you again." His disciples also hear this curse. It is important to recall the importance of fig trees throughout the Bible. The fig tree was an emblem of peace, security, and prosperity and is prominent in Israel's history (Genesis 3:7; Deuteronomy 8:8-10; 1 Kings 4:25; and many others). But now, there is no fruit on this tree. It is fruitless. It withers. Jesus is pulling on a familiar story from Jeremiah. A prophet that Jesus emulates often. Jeremiah speaks in the name of the Lord "there are no grapes on the vine, nor figs on the fig tree; even the leaves are withered, and what I gave them has passed away from them" (Jer. 8:13). The tree is cursed. It dies. A withered tree and withered roots. A sign that Jesus will later tell his followers is indicative of the "end time" (Mark 13:28-31). The world that is coming to an end is the world of a Temple-based system.

Jesus also performs prophetic street theater in our reading today. This is not something new from the scriptures. In fact, Jeremiah performed this prophetic act over 500 years before Jesus. (See Jeremiah 7). Jesus, just like Jeremiah, is communicating a prophetic sign of God's judgment on the Temple system and it's authorities. They were making it unsuitable as a place of worship for the Gentiles who might wish to pray there. The poor and the outcasts were being taken advantage of on behalf of the thriving Temple. All of the Gospel writers communicate this incident. *Only the Gospel of John mentions a "whip". And the whip was not for people. Maybe you wish that it was, but it wasn't. It was for the animals and the livestock. Jesus was not throwing a temper tantrum in a fit of rage. Neither was he using violence or endorsing violence. More on that another time...

So Jesus overturns the tables with coins and pigeons on it and then he speaks to those presiding over these tables. He even 'teaches' them. No one is hurting or bleeding from a whip. However, this is a warning from Jesus, just like Jeremiah's warning. It's a warning to protect the people from the impending doom and destruction from Rome. It’s also a warning about exploiting the poor. Will they listen? Will we? Will we continue to exploit the poor and the outcast for the benefits of the rich and powerful?

As judgment fell upon Israel in Jeremiah's time, so it looms once again over the Temple in the time of Jesus. Today, may we continue to love God with all of our heart, mind, soul and strength. May we also love our neighbor as ourselves. This is what following Jesus looks like.

Palm Sunday: A Game of Thrones?

11:04:00 AM

Advent Liturgy: A Season of Waiting

7:00:00 AM

The month of December in our culture presents a few different narratives:

One is the “Christmas Time” narrative, where December is a month to be happy, filled with parties, and giving and receiving gifts making sure everyone says, “Merry Christmas”.

There’s a “Completely Stressed” narrative, where the entire month is one gigantic time to plan social events, shop every moment, host extended family and friends, and decorating your home on top of an already busy schedule. Where is the time for all of this?

And, finally, there’s the “Ancient Preparation” narrative that is a part of the sacred calendar in the Church - where Advent is a time to intentionally set aside all distractions to rest and prepare in the reality of the coming Christ: Immanuel - God with us. Peace on earth, good will to all. It is the beginning of the new year for Christians.

I did not grow up celebrating the season of Advent. But I always longed to understand it. To enter in to the story. I'm also not good at waiting. This is the best practice for patience that I can get. As a culture, we take pride in always being "busy". Isn't it true - that many of us find Advent complicated, stressful, even sad when we aren't caught up in how it "should be" or "feel"? We ought to be filled with joy; we ought to push away distractions; we ought to focus on Jesus, and love, and peace, and all that holy stuff, right? But do we ever catch up with those aspirations? For many years, I did not. Until a few years ago when I began to dive head first into this practice of waiting during Advent.

What if you could join me, and the historic Church this year? What if the distractions and holiness and pain and joy and stress and peace were all supposed to be wrapped up into one narrative, instead of us having to choose? What if God intended Advent to be a part of our real, complicated lives each year, instead of a fake imitation? What if the rough edges of our Decembers weren’t things to be sanded away?

I hope you’ll join me this Advent, beginning on December 3^rd . I have included a FREE Advent Liturgy Guide (print on both sides and fold in half) to help you explore how we can celebrate Advent authentically and deeply while still in the midst of the real world. After all, Christmas is the story of the joyful birth of our Savior…

So let's learn to be patient. Learn to stare at the stars in the night sky. Learn to be with Jesus. Learn to be quiet and still. Learn to wait. Then, and only then, will you begin to discern what God is doing. May this Advent help prepare you to discern what God is about to do in your life and in our world.

Grace and peace,
Brian