Gospel in Art: A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard

Port Jackson Fig Tree, by Lloyd Rees 1934, © Lloyd Rees Estate/Licensed by Viscopy, Collection of The University of Queensland

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 23 March 2025

There were some present at that very time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And he answered them, 'Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered in this way? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.'

And he told this parable: 'A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. And he said to the vine dresser, "Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?" And he answered him, "Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig round it and put on manure. Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down." '

Reflection on the Pencil Drawing

Our drawing by Australian artist Lloyd Rees captures a magnificent over 100-year-old fig tree, perhaps not unlike the one Jesus speaks of in today's Gospel. Created in 1934, the drawing has the depth and richness of an old master painting, revealing Rees' extraordinary ability to capture time, texture, and life through pencil alone. In 2016, a retrospective in Sydney titled "Painting with Pencil" beautifully summed up his approach: an infinite care over the smallest of details, showcases his 'patience and skill' as an artist.

And it is to skill and patience that Jesus calls us in today's Gospel. Just as an artist labours carefully over each stroke, waiting for a masterpiece to emerge, so too does God tend to the growth of our souls, nurturing us with grace, forgiveness, and time. The parable of the fig tree reminds us that bearing fruit takes time, and God is patient with us. He does not give up easily. The Master Gardener trusts in our potential, nourishing us with love and mercy, encouraging us to become who we were created to be.

Yet, the parable also carries a challenge: we must respond to God's care. A tree does not bear fruit by neglect but by receiving nourishment and growing in the right conditions. In the same way, we must cultivate our faith through prayer, reflection, and action, allowing the grace of God to shape us. Just as an artist refines their technique with dedication and discipline, we, too, are called to cooperate with God's grace, ensuring that our lives bear fruit. The fig tree in Jesus' parable is not doomed; it is given another chance, just as we are. That is the beauty of God's patience and hope for each of us.

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's Reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/luke-13-1-9-2025/ (with audio)