Daily Readings - Fri May 28 2021
Sirach
1Let us praise the men of glory, and our ancestors in their generation8They left behind a name for those who were born of them, so that their praises might be described9But for some of them, there is no memorial. They have passed away as if they had never existed; and they have become as if they had never been born, and their sons along with them10But these were men of mercy, whose pious deeds have not failed11Good things continue with their offspring12Their descendents are a holy inheritance, and their offspring stand firm in the covenants13And because of them, their sons remain even unto eternity. Their offspring and their glory will not be forsaken
Mark
11And he entered into Jerusalem, into the temple. And having looked around at everything, since it was now the evening hour, he went out to Bethania with the twelve12And the next day, as they were departing from Bethania, he was hungry13And when he had seen a fig tree with leaves in the distance, he went to it, in case he might find something on it. And when he had gone to it, he found nothing but leaves. For it was not the season for figs14And in response, he said to it, "From now on and forever, may no one eat fruit from you again!" And his disciples heard this15And they went to Jerusalem. And when he had entered into the temple, he began to cast out the sellers and the buyers in the temple. And he overturned the tables of the moneychangers and the chairs of the vendors of doves16And he would not permit anyone to carry goods through the temple17And he taught them, saying: "Is it not written: ‘For my house shall be called the house of prayer for all nations?’ But you have made it into a den of robbers.18And when the leaders of the priests, and the scribes, had heard this, they sought a means by which they might destroy him. For they feared him, because the entire multitude was in admiration over his doctrine19And when evening had arrived, he departed from the city20And when they passed by in the morning, they saw that the fig tree had dried up from the roots21And Peter, remembering, said to him, "Master, behold, the fig tree that you cursed has withered.22And in response, Jesus said to them: "Have the faith of God23Amen I say to you, that whoever will say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ and who will not have hesitated in his heart, but will have believed: then whatever he has said be done, it shall be done for him24For this reason, I say to you, all things whatsoever that you ask for when praying: believe that you will receive them, and they will happen for you25And when you stand to pray, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father, who is in heaven, may also forgive you your sins
Sermon
In today's readings, we reflect on the themes of legacy, faith, and spiritual fruitfulness. The first reading from Sirach reminds us that while some may fade into obscurity, those who live virtuous lives leave a lasting, positive impact. Their deeds and mercy ensure a holy inheritance for their descendants, highlighting the importance of living with integrity and compassion.
The Gospel from Mark presents Jesus' encounter with a barren fig tree, which serves as a powerful symbol of spiritual barrenness. Jesus' curse on the tree and his subsequent teachings emphasize the necessity of bearing spiritual fruit. The withered fig tree illustrates the consequences of not living a fruitful spiritual life. Jesus then teaches about the power of faith and prayer, stressing the importance of forgiveness in our relationship with God and others.
As we apply these lessons to our daily lives, we are reminded to examine our actions and their impact. Just as the fig tree was judged for its lack of fruit, we too are called to bear fruit through our deeds and prayers. Let us strive to live with faith and integrity, ensuring that our legacy is one of love, mercy, and spiritual richness. May we cultivate a deep faith, forgive others, and seek a fruitful spiritual life, inspiring others through our actions and prayers.