Tuesday of Holy Week is known as “Busy Tuesday”
Many things happened that day. The reading I have chosen is the story of the withered fig tree. Other events of the day include a challenge of Jesus’ authority, the parables of warning, a debate with Jewish leaders, the denunciation of the scribes and Pharisees and a discourse on the last things.
The story of the cursing of the fig tree is a strange one! It wasn’t the season for the tree to produce fruit –it seems as if Jesus was being completely unreasonable. It looks like a fit of petulant bad temper. Perhaps a much needed reminder here that Jesus was human as well as divine? He was hungry, and angry because the fruit he wanted wasn’t there.
Or is it a continuation of yesterday’s protest about the role of the Temple, the Temple whose role as the centre of worship was being usurped by the revolutionaries?
The rest of this day was very eventful, as noted above. You can read about it in the rest of Matthew, up to the end of chapter 25. Edith
We'll be sharing Compline again at 9 pm this evening. You'll find us by clicking on this link - Compline
The order of service can be found below so you can join in with the responses.
