About the Cover: God's people have been made like fig trees to bear fruit. In the eyes of the vinedresser, a fig tree that bears no fruit is not a lost cause to be immediately cut down. Instead, he tends to it and fertilizes it. Jesus’ parable help us see His heart of patient compassion. He sees to it that we are provided with all that we need to grow and flourish. We have the Word, which has been planted within our hearts and nourished by the preaching of the gospel and the Sacraments.