Fruitfulness and Faith
“For the Souls in Purgatory – Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord”
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 might find anything on it. When he came to 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 allow 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 heard this and were seeking a way to put him to death, for they were afraid of him, with the whole crowd 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 done for you. When you stand to pray, forgive anyone against whom you have a grievance, so that your heavenly Father may also forgive you your transgressions.
Grace Prayed For
I pray for a heart that bears fruit and a faith that moves mountains.
Reflection
The cursing of the fig tree and the cleansing of the Temple are both about fruitfulness. A ‘house of prayer’ that becomes a ‘den of thieves’ is like a tree with leaves but no fruit—it has the appearance of life but none of the substance. Our Baptismal Mission reminds us that our Prayer life must be authentic and lead to action. If our prayer doesn’t result in a more just and loving Community, then we are failing the grace of our initiation. To incorporate this, we must audit our ‘temples’—our hearts and our parishes. Are we focused on the ‘buying and selling’ of religious activities, or are we truly seeking God? Jesus tells us that Mission requires mountain-moving faith. This faith is not about our own willpower but about our connection to the Father through Prayer. Note, however, the essential condition: forgiveness. We cannot be effective in Mission or Community if we hold onto grievances. Forgiveness is the fertilizer that allows our spiritual lives to bear fruit. Today, ask: what ‘mountain’ in my life or in my community needs to be moved for the Gospel to flourish? Pray with the absolute belief that God can move it, while also letting go of any resentment that blocks His grace.
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Sharing
Jesus last words on Earth were to his disciples, can be found in Matthew Chap 28 when Jesus told his disciples, “Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”
Jesus calls all of us to share in his redemptive mission here on Earth. I would ask you to share this Scripture reflection with your family, your friends and your acquaintances, and then share it with a couple of individuals that you may may not be comfortable sharing with, keeping in mind always the words of Jesus, And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age
Author was assisted by AI in the drafting of this Post