Under the Fig Tree

The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, ‘Follow me.’ Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, ‘We have found him about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth.’ Nathanael said to him, ‘Can anything good come out of Nazareth?’ Philip said to him, ‘Come and see.’ When Jesus saw Nathanael coming towards him, he said of him, ‘Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!’ Nathanael asked him, ‘Where did you come to know me?’ Jesus answered, ‘I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you.’ Nathanael replied, ‘Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!’ Jesus answered, ‘Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these.’ And he said to him, ‘Very truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.’ John 1:43-51

Wondrous Creator of all the living 

plants and trees that shade us

the two, four legged and winged

all of us relatives and interdependent.

With each new day miracles abound

you bring hope with season's change

you light our  cold and darkest nights

and know us when we are hiding away.

Draw near to your creation bent low

the storms and winds have overwhelmed

the disease and fear has crippled us

we are weak and growing anxious daily.

Give us new hearts for compassion today

help us to see the promise in small things

let us serve you without fear or shame

you are the world's hope, the Lamb of God. Amen.