Thoughts on a fig tree

"In the morning as they passed by, they saw the fig tree withered away to its roots. Then Peter remembered and said to him, 'Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered.' Jesus answered them, 'Have faith in God.  Truly I tell you, if you say to this mountain, "Be taken up and thrown into the sea," and if you do not doubt in your heart, but believe that what you say will come to pass, it will be done for you. So I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.'"
'Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone; so that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.'"  Mark 11:20-25

we could water the lives

of those who annoy us

but pour bitterness into

their souls.

we could place the 

mulch of kindness around

the feet of those who frighten

us beyond measure

but pat our ground up 

snark all around them.

we could whisper words

of tenderness and hope

thinking it might transform

them into being more us,

but we stand and shake 

our fists cursing the other.

and Jesus has no need

to curse us, for our faith

has already withered 

in our hearts.

(c) 2024 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman