Saint John Neumann, Bishop
~~~ 1 John 3:11-21 ~~~ Psalm 100 ~~~ John 1:43-51 ~~~
...we belong to the truth...
...a great light has come upon the earth...
...I saw you under the fig tree.
Jesus saw Nathaniel under the fig tree...
What does one do while sitting under a tree?
There are discoveries to be made
under the protection of the fig tree.
Perhaps you will find a piece of fruit...
a seed may capture your attention.
Under the fig tree is a safe place to pause for prayer.
A place to meditate on how you
belong to the truth because Jesus has saved you.
Even in the cool shade of the fig tree we are still part of the light.
You are kept in the light of his truth.
In this state we rest in prayer under the fig tree.
You may not find a great monument
marking your place under the fig tree
but it is always available for you.
Sitting under the fig tree is a place of shade...
a place of safety...
a place to sit quietly listening for
the still small voice of God.
There is no duplicity in him.
Jesus is waiting for you to take a moment
from your daily tasks to sit
in the quiet shade of his fig tree.
When you are still and your mind becomes quiet
Jesus enters into your heart.
He draws you to his light and truth.
Just like Nathaniel, you too can be changed
while resting under the fig tree.
It only takes a glimpse from Jesus
for his light to reach your soul.
Nathaniel walked away from his time
under the fig tree a changed person.
He had questioned whether or not anything good
could come from a small insignificant town...
Jesus is the one who came from that town of Nazareth.
I invite you to sit awhile under the fig tree...
allow Jesus to gaze upon you and you too will be a changed person.
Get up and follow Jesus he has plans for you...
there is work for you to do in the vineyard.
~~~Spreading Peace~~~
~~~2017~~~
