Daily Readings - Fri May 28 2021
Mark
11And he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple. And when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve.12On the following day, when they came from Bethany, he was hungry.13And seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to see if he could find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs.14And he said to it, "May no one ever eat fruit from you again." And his disciples heard it.15And they came to Jerusalem. And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold and those who bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons.16And he would not allow anyone to carry anything through the temple.17And he was teaching them and saying to them, "Is it not written, 'My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations'? But you have made it a den of robbers."18And the chief priests and the scribes heard it and were seeking a way to destroy him, for they feared him, because all the crowd was astonished at his teaching.19And when evening came they went out of the city.20As they passed by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered away to its roots.21And Peter remembered and said to him, "Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered."22And Jesus answered them, "Have faith in God.23Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be taken up and thrown into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him.24Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.25And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses."
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.