Naked protesters not tickled pink by Barbie ‘dreamhouse’

(Source: phil0kalia)

This event, which occurred the day after “Palm Sunday”, is interpreted as symbolizing the rejection of the Jews by Christ due to their fruitlessness. Just as the fig tree was cursed for appearing outwardly verdant yet utterly fruitless, so too are the outwardly religious Jews cursed for adhering to religious rituals whilst neglecting the fruits of true repentance, humility, and charity. This is further underlined by the other Gospel readings for the day, which describe the parable of the two sons and the parable of the wicked vinedressers (Matt 21:28-43) and are explicitly directed against the religious Jews.

The readings about, and imagery of, the cursed fig tree have survived until today because they can also be applied to us. As disciples of Christ being led towards the Resurrection, we must not cultivate our outward piety whilst neglecting the genuine fruits of faith. Those who belong to Christ ought to live and walk in the Spirit; and the Spirit will bear fruit in them (Gal 5:22-25). If we are without fruit, the withered fig tree reminds us of Christ’s swift strictness at the Last Judgment.

From IconReader