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Friday, June 01, 2007

Meditation
Mark 11:11-26

All that you ask for in prayer, believe that you will receive it. (Mark 11:24)

There are a lot of good reasons to wonder why Jesus cursed the fig tree in today’s reading. But this passage is more about Jesus’ authority than the fig tree’s lack of fruitfulness. It’s really about how we can bear fruit for him—by believing instead of doubting, and by trusting in the power of prayer instead of thinking we have to go it alone.

Over and over again, Jesus tells his disciples to pray for their needs. He tells them that nothing will be impossible for them, and that if they have even a tiny “mustard seed” of faith, whatever they ask for will be done for them (Matthew 17:20; 21:22). He also reminds them that if they, being sinners, know how to provide for their children, how much more will their heavenly Father provide for them (Luke 11:11-13).

Jesus has given us exactly the same rights and privileges that he gave his first disciples. And yet we still find ourselves asking upon occasion, “I have prayed and prayed about this situation; why is God turning a deaf ear?” We may never understand why God seems to delay answering us at times. There will be situations in which he will ask us to trust in his wisdom and timing, believing that he really will work all things for our good (Romans 8:28).

Brothers and sisters, no matter what happens, God wants us to trust him. He wants to assure us that if we have given our lives to him, we can go before him and ask boldly and confidently for whatever we need, and he will hear us (Hebrews 4:16). So let’s take him at his word, and pray to him with every ounce of faith we can muster! He will answer us, and our hearts will rejoice.

“Father, I want to join with everyone reading this magazine today, knowing that whenever two or more are gathered in your name, you are with them. May your blessings fall on all of us today. May we all begin to look for—and expect—great things from your hand!”

Sirach 44:1,9-13; Psalm 149:1-6,9

One Bread, One Body

<< Friday, June 1, 2007 >>

St. Justin

Sirach 44:1, 9-13

Psalm 149

Mark 11:11-26

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THE FRUIT-BEARING FRUIT OF HOLINESS

"He went over to see if He could find anything on it." —Mark 11:13

Jesus "inspected everything" in the Temple precincts (Mk 11:11). He was inspecting the spiritual fruit of the Temple worship. We know this from the fact that between visits to the Temple, Jesus inspected a fig tree and cursed it for not bearing fruit (Mk 11:14). Because it is of extreme importance to bear fruit by leading people to Jesus and by receiving the fruit of holiness (see Gal 5:22-23), Jesus is a strict "Fruit Inspector." Usually, we must bear fruit no matter what the season, or we will be cursed, dead, and withered to our roots (Mk 11:20). Sometimes, however, the Lord will give us a little more time to bear fruit (Lk 13:7-9) before we are cut down or cut off to be thrown into the fire (Jn 15:6).

To bear fruit, we must simply live in Jesus and He in us (Jn 15:5). Then the Holy Spirit will produce in us the fruit of holiness (Gal 5:22-23). As a result, holy people lift up Jesus and thereby produce the fruit of evangelization as Jesus draws all people to Himself (Jn 12:32). As these holy evangelizers die more deeply to themselves, they produce even more abundant fruit (Jn 12:24).

Give Jesus joy as He inspects your holy harvest of souls.

Prayer: Father, I will sow the tears of repentance and reap in joy (see Ps 126:5).

Promise: "These also were godly men whose virtues have not been forgotten; their wealth remains in their families, their heritage with their descendants." —Sir 44:10-11

Praise: St. Justin was a pagan philosopher who converted to Christianity. Hungry for truth, he defended the faith before the Roman Emperor and Senate and accepted martyrdom as a sacrifice to He Who is Truth.