Reading 1
1 Pt 4:7-13
Beloved:
The end of all things is at hand.
Therefore be serious and sober-minded
so that you will be able to pray.
Above all, let your love for one another be intense,
because love covers a multitude of sins.
Be hospitable to one another without complaining.
As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another
as good stewards of God’s varied grace.
Whoever preaches, let it be with the words of God;
whoever serves, let it be with the strength that God supplies,
so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ,
to whom belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Beloved, do not be surprised that a trial by fire is occurring among you,
as if something strange were happening to you.
But rejoice to the extent that you share in the sufferings of Christ,
so that when his glory is revealed
you may also rejoice exultantly.
Gospel
Mk 11:11-26
Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple area.
He looked around at everything and, since it was already late,
went out to Bethany with the Twelve.
The next day as they were leaving Bethany he was hungry.
Seeing from a distance a fig tree in leaf,
he went over to see if he could find anything on it.
When he reached it he found nothing but leaves;
it was not the time for figs.
And he said to it in reply, “May no one ever eat of your fruit again!”
And his disciples heard it.
They came to Jerusalem,
and on entering the temple area
he began to drive out those selling and buying there.
He overturned the tables of the money changers
and the seats of those who were selling doves.
He did not permit anyone to carry anything through the temple area.
Then he taught them saying, “Is it not written:
My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples?
But you have made it a den of thieves.”
The chief priests and the scribes came to hear of it
and were seeking a way to put him to death,
yet they feared him
because the whole crowd was astonished at his teaching.
When evening came, they went out of the city.
Early in the morning, as they were walking along,
they saw the fig tree withered to its roots.
Peter remembered and said to him, “Rabbi, look!
The fig tree that you cursed has withered.”
Jesus said to them in reply, “Have faith in God.
Amen, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain,
‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’
and does not doubt in his heart
but believes that what he says will happen,
it shall be done for him.
Therefore I tell you, all that you ask for in prayer,
believe that you will receive it and it shall be yours.
When you stand to pray,
forgive anyone against whom you have a grievance,
so that your heavenly Father may in turn
forgive you your transgressions.”
Meditation: Mark 11:11-26
Have faith in God. (Mark 11:22)
The day after receiving a king’s welcome in Jerusalem, Jesus was leaving town on an empty stomach when he spotted a fig tree. Upon closer inspection, Jesus found the tree barren of fruit—but ripe with an opportunity to teach his disciples about the power of prayer. “May no one ever eat of your fruit again,” he commanded the tree (Mark 11:14).
His disciples may not have given that unusual declaration much thought because later that day they saw their Master drive merchants out of the Temple. But the next day, when they came across the same tree and saw it withered all the way down to its roots, the disciples were awe-struck! They might have wondered: “Who is this man who has authority even over the regular course of nature?”
Jesus’ response was simple: “Have faith in God” (Mark 11:22). It’s a theme repeated many times in the Scriptures: Have faith in God, because the One with power to create worlds in Genesis 1 is the same One who has the power to care for your every need.
Jesus wanted to breathe a sense of confidence into his disciples that morning, but through today’s readings, he wants to give us the same confidence and trust. He wants us to know that our heavenly Father hears every prayer we utter. He knows all our needs. Even when we don’t see the answers to a certain problem, we can come before him in prayer, confident that he will never abandon us.
Many times, though, our prayers aren’t answered the next morning with something as undeniable as a wilted tree. What should we do then? Keep on praying! God isn’t just working on the solution, he is working on us! Just as he cleared the Temple of things that didn’t belong there, he is clearing our minds and hearts of the clutter of sin and ungodly attitudes. So be confident in your prayer, knowing that your Father is rich in kindness. Be careful, too, to stay in touch with him so that you can detect his answer when he gives it.
“Thank you, Jesus, for the gift of prayer! I trust you today with every aspect of my life. Thank you for letting me share in your spiritual authority. Now help me to remain connected to you.”
No comments:
Post a Comment