The sermon traces the preacher’s spiritual journey, beginning in 2002 at Tassajara Zen Center, where a sense of emptiness despite professional success—completing a degree and securing a tenure-track position—sparked a search for faith. After years of struggle (career dissatisfaction, the 2008 financial crisis, resistance to seminary, and precarious circumstances), the preacher entered seminary in 2010, graduating in 2013 and marrying Angela. The sermon interprets Jesus’ cursing of the barren fig tree and cleansing of the temple as a call to choose a life-giving path, free from distractions and harmful influences. Forgiveness, especially of oneself, is essential to restoring the sacred inner temple where God’s grace dwells. The message: choose life, cultivate inner sacredness, trust God’s presence, and clear the heart’s temple of all that desecrat ...