Figs, manure and docibilitas

Today's gospel gives us a good picture of what happens when we lack docibilitas: our fruitfulness is limited. In a way the figtree is deaf to its duties, resistant to bringing forth fruit, and solidly uncooperative.  The figtree is us! Or at least ourselves minus docibilitas. 

A lack of docibilitas - teachability - belongs to the worst version of ourselves. And we ought to admit that when we are in our comfort zones, that is precisely when impediments to fruitfulness can multiply. No wonder we need the manure!

We all love the idea of bearing fruit, but perhaps we underestimate its cost. The loving regard we want to cast upon the Lord must somewhere include an admission of our poverty before him. We are the anawim, the servants of the Lord. We are loved, but as He knows us to be - in all its unflattering light! - not as we want to imagine ourselves to be.

But to have docibilitas is not to be inclined to self-hatred. Rather it involves a thirst for truth about God and about ourselves. 

And then, with that knowledge, we can prepare to bear fruit. Let the manuring begin!