During July, 2012, the lectionary featured a scripture about the prophet Amos – “Then Amos answered Amaziah, "I am no prophet, nor a prophet’s son; but I am a herdsman, and a dresser of sycamore trees, and the LORD took me from following the flock, and the LORD said to me, `Go, prophesy to my people Israel.’"
“A dresser of sycamore trees?” These are not the European or North American variety, but a type of plant native to the Middle East. Sometimes called “the poor man’s fig tree,” they produce a small fruit encased in a husk. During the growing season these husks must be pierced with a sharp stick for the fruit to ripen. The yield was of little value.