tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5578980753063154388.post1137916329884293549..comments2024-03-25T17:14:03.066-07:00Comments on The New Theological Movement: Why read about Nathanael on the feast of St. Bartholomew?Father Ryan Erlenbushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07557817305024750902noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5578980753063154388.post-38074695242426221682011-08-27T09:00:11.896-07:002011-08-27T09:00:11.896-07:00Chatto,
Yes the fig tree is an important image in ...Chatto,<br />Yes the fig tree is an important image in the Scriptures.<br />"Everyone living under his own fig tree" is used in the early books (1Kings, for example ) to show the prosperity of the Nation.<br />The destruction of the fig tree and the vine is a sign of God's wrath in the Prophets (esp Hosea and Joel).<br /><br />The fig tree can be sign for what is good among the people, or for a strong and just ruler (cf. Judges 9, the parable against Abimeleck)<br /><br />Finally the promise of salvation again uses the idea of siting under the fig tree -- Micah 4:4 and Zechariah 3:10 (which hearkens back to the rule of Solomon, cf 1 Kings 4:25)<br /><br />Indeed, there is much to meditate upon here!<br /><br />Micah 4:3-4,<br />"And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off: and they shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into spades: nation shall not take sword against nation: neither shall they learn war any more. AND EVERY MAN SHALL SIT under his vine, and UNDER HIS FIG TREE, and there shall be none to make them afraid: for the mouth of the Lord of hosts hath spoken."Father Ryan Erlenbushhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07557817305024750902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5578980753063154388.post-3630168367623377402011-08-27T06:17:09.928-07:002011-08-27T06:17:09.928-07:00Thank you so much,Fr. Ryan. The metaphorical expla...Thank you so much,Fr. Ryan. The metaphorical explanation has given me new insights, and I will pray and keep to heart Psalm 139 because it expresses what you have just said, and will serve as a beautiful reminder of God's presence in my life.Angelanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5578980753063154388.post-1217476458509612112011-08-27T00:42:35.260-07:002011-08-27T00:42:35.260-07:00Father,
the fig tree seems to play an usually pro...Father,<br /><br />the fig tree seems to play an usually prominent role in a number of passage of Scripture. I like St. Gregory's interpretation - I suppose it also fits well with Adam & Eve covering themselves with fig leaves.<br /><br />Is there a connection here as well with Christ whithering the fig tree that refused to bear fruit? It seems as if the fig tree is taken to represent something quite specific in Biblical imagery.Chattohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14488939389859451887noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5578980753063154388.post-55570481629574509682011-08-26T12:32:39.291-07:002011-08-26T12:32:39.291-07:00Angela,
It is a difficult passage to interpret ......Angela,<br />It is a difficult passage to interpret ... it seems that Jesus is telling us that he knows all things and "sees" all things through his power as God illuminating his human mind.<br /><br />Here are the words of Fr. Cornelius a' Lapide,<br />"Jesus answered, &c. “When thou wast alone under the fig tree, and thoughtest that no one saw thee, I saw thee, and know what thou wast doing in secret there. Hence thou mayest gather that I am greater than man, even Messiah, the Son of God.” So S. Cyril, S. Augustine, and others.<br /><br />Mystically, S. Gregory (Moral. l. 18, c. 20), Under the fig tree, i.e., beneath the shadow of the Law, I saw thee, that I might transfer thee to the vine of My Gospel.<br /><br />Tropologically, learn from hence that God and Christ are everywhere present, and are to be feared, when thou art alone in thy chamber; yea, when thou secretly thinkest and desirest anything in thy heart, Christ is looking at thee, and beholding thy thoughts and desires. Take heed therefore lest thou do anything, or desire, or think anything, which will offend the eyes of His majesty. For so He beheld Nathanael, and what he was doing under the fig tree. So also God saw Adam under a fig tree eating its forbidden fruit."<br /><br /><br />Peace and blessings to you! +Father Ryan Erlenbushhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07557817305024750902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5578980753063154388.post-2142307539723014362011-08-24T11:26:49.684-07:002011-08-24T11:26:49.684-07:00Thank you for this article, Fr. Ryan. It has answe...Thank you for this article, Fr. Ryan. It has answered my question why the Gospel reading of the Feast of St. Bartholomew is about Philip and Nathanael. However, I do have another question that has vexed me for sometime (I hope I am not out of line), and it is about the interaction between Jesus and Nathanael:<br /><br />Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and said, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no guile!" Nathanael said to him, "How do you know me?" Jesus answered him, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you." Nathanael answered him, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!" (Jn 1:47-49). <br /><br />I feel that there seems to be an understanding between Jesus and Nathanael in these passages. Is it merely because Jesus saw him under the fig tree that Nathanael made him declare Jesus to be the Son of God? I don't think that this is not just the kind that people get awed, nowadays, by psychics who claim to have the ability to see the future, or is it? It seems that there is more to the dialogue than for Nathanael being seen under a fig tree. <br /><br />Thank you, Father Ryan.Angelanoreply@blogger.com