The Holy Martyrs Thyrsus, Leucius (249-51), Philemon, Apollonius and Callinicus (284-305).
Nativity Fast.
Hebrews 7:1-6; Luke 21:28-33
Read Luke 21:28-33
Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory forever!
As we approach the last week before Christmas, we notice a certain intensification. The weather seems just a little bit colder (we had our first snowfall this past weekend!) and there is more preparation to do. More decorations to put up, gifts to buy and wrap, and many foods to prepare. In a few days, the Church’s traditional Nativity fast will also intensify, the strict fast being observed on all weekdays, with only allowance for wine and oil on Saturday and Sunday.
All of these are signs that point to the fact that the celebration of the Lord’s birth is near. In today’s Gospel, Our Lord tells his disciples to observe the signs of the times, pointing to the fig tree as an example: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees; as soon as they come out in leaf, you see for yourselves and know that the summer is already near.”
According to St. Ambrose of Milan, the sign of the fig tree, which is covered in leaves, but without fruit, has a double meaning:
“The fig tree therefore has a double meaning: when the wild is tamed or when sins abound. Like the believer’s faith that shriveled up before it will flower, so also sinners will glory through the grace of their transgressions. On the one hand is the fruit of faith, and on the other the lewdness of unbelief. The gardening of the Evangelist as farmer produces the fruit of the fig tree for me. We must not despair if sinners cover themselves with the leaves of the fig tree as with a garment of deceit, so that they may veil their conscience. Leaves without fruit are therefore suspicious.” (Ambrose of Milan, Exposition of the Gospel of Luke 45)
On the one hand, the tree lives as it is covered by leaves. From this point of view, the fig tree is a sign of hope or potential. Life has the potential to produce fruit if tended with care, it inspires the gardener to, “dig around it and put on fertilizer” (Luke 13:8). On the other hand the barren fig tree is a sign that something is wrong and needs to be tended to. The tree is sick, or it may be overgrown with the cares and worries of the world, in which case the leaves, which make it appear healthy, cover an unseen malady.
In this last stretch of our preparation for the Great Feast of Our Lord’s Nativity, let us look at ourselves and reflect on where we might need to add fertilizer – maybe we can dedicate more time to prayer or the reading of the Holy Scripture, or intensify our fasting. We should also look at what we might need to cut off or prune, whether that be certain activities that are distracting us from our preparations or bigger things we need to cut out of our lives.
We do this, not for its own sake, but so that we might be ready to bear much fruit when Christ comes. When you see these things taking place, know that the kingdom of God is near!
Bible References