Mother Suzanne explores the Exodus passage of Moses and the burning bush, emphasizing God's promise, "I will be with you," when we face seemingly impossible challenges. Just as God revealed His name as "I AM WHO I AM" to Moses, He remains present with us today—not as a distant judge, but as near to us as our very breath, naming us as His beloved children.

THE GOSPEL                                                                                                                           Luke 13:1-9

At that very time there were some present who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. He asked them, "Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were worse sinners than all other Galileans? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as they did. Or those eighteen who were killed when the tower of Siloam fell on them--do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others living in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish just as they did."

Then he told this parable: "A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and found none. So he said to the gardener, 'See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none. Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?' He replied, 'Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig around it and put manure on it. If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.'" 

Artwork: "The Cursing of the Fig Tree", The image is a piece of Orthodox Christian iconography