(Optional Memorial for Saint Augustine of Canterbury, Bishop)
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| “The Accursed Fig Tree” by James Tissot, 1886-94 |
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1: 1 Peter 4:7-13
Commentary on 1 Pt 4:7-13
“The inner life of the eschatological community” (the Christian Community’s focus on the end times) “is outlined as the end (the parousia of Christ) and the judgment draws near in terms of seriousness, sobriety, prayer, and love expressed through hospitality and the use of one's gifts for the glory of God and of Christ”[4] The doxology in v. 11 may have been the ending of an address or possibly even the conclusion of a baptismal celebration.
The concluding verses recapitulate the baptismal exhortation, and encourage the Christian community to share in the tribulations of Christ, sharing also in the salvation that flows through him. See also Romans 8:17.
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 96:10, 11-12, 13
R. (13b) The Lord comes to judge the earth.
Commentary on Ps 96:10, 11-12, 13
Psalm 96 is a hymn of praise to the one true God. The psalmist invites all people to come to faith and believe in God who created all things, and is above all things. He exhorts the people to praise the Lord for his wondrous works of creation. The reason for this exhortation is that God will come to rule the earth with his justice. In this passage we see the forerunner of the understanding of the New Jerusalem – the Heavenly Kingdom.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 96:10, 11-12, 13
R. (13b) The Lord comes to judge the earth.
Commentary on Ps 96:10, 11-12, 13
Psalm 96 is a hymn of praise to the one true God. The psalmist invites all people to come to faith and believe in God who created all things, and is above all things. He exhorts the people to praise the Lord for his wondrous works of creation. The reason for this exhortation is that God will come to rule the earth with his justice. In this passage we see the forerunner of the understanding of the New Jerusalem – the Heavenly Kingdom.
“What does this justice and fidelity mean? On the day of Judgment, he will gather his chosen ones to himself and send the rest away, he will place some to his right hand and others to his left. It is only right and fair that those who show no mercy before the coming of the judge should not then hope for mercy from him. Whereas those who struggle to be merciful towards others will be judged with mercy.” (St Augustine, Enarrationes in Psalmos, 95, 15) [5]
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Gospel: Mark 11:11-26
Commentary on Mk 11:11-26
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Gospel: Mark 11:11-26
Commentary on Mk 11:11-26
This Gospel passage has three intertwined elements. First we hear Jesus uncharacteristically “curse” the fig tree for its lack of fruit. The common thought about this incident is that it is a metaphor for the Jewish lack of faith, and acceptance of scriptures fulfilled in Christ.
The second element is the story of Jesus and the money changers. The Lord drives out the merchants who had set up their tables in the outermost courtyard of the Temple called the Court of Gentiles. The sacrifices for sale could only be purchased with money from Tyre; all other currency had to be exchanged at these tables.
Finally we come to the last part of the Gospel as Jesus instructs the disciples about prayer. The selection concludes, much like the Lord’s Prayer, with the request for forgiveness. v. 26 (which is omitted because it is not found in the best source documents) : "But if you do not forgive, neither will your heavenly Father forgive your transgressions,"
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Reflection:
The story of Jesus cursing the fig tree provides us with some shock value. It is so out of character that the Lord of love would do anything like cursing a tree (or for that matter disrupting the money changers in the temple). In this case we can almost miss the real point being made by these short vignettes.
In the case of the fig tree, Jesus is demonstrating the power of faith. Note, when the disciples see the results of the curse he laid upon the tree, and call it to his attention, he makes the profound response “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.”
It is that incredible faith, the faith of Bartimaeus the blind man whose site was restored, that the Lord asks us to have. It is so difficult for us to accept that the use of this gift can have such an amazing effect on our lives. But there it is, we are promised that, if we do not let doubt enter in, our faith in the Christ will allow almost anything to be possible.
Today as we recall the shock value of the cursed fig tree, let us pray in our hearts for the faith the Lord asks us to have. We have been assured, if we can approach that level of trust in God, all things are possible.
Pax
Reflection:
The story of Jesus cursing the fig tree provides us with some shock value. It is so out of character that the Lord of love would do anything like cursing a tree (or for that matter disrupting the money changers in the temple). In this case we can almost miss the real point being made by these short vignettes.
In the case of the fig tree, Jesus is demonstrating the power of faith. Note, when the disciples see the results of the curse he laid upon the tree, and call it to his attention, he makes the profound response “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.”
It is that incredible faith, the faith of Bartimaeus the blind man whose site was restored, that the Lord asks us to have. It is so difficult for us to accept that the use of this gift can have such an amazing effect on our lives. But there it is, we are promised that, if we do not let doubt enter in, our faith in the Christ will allow almost anything to be possible.
Today as we recall the shock value of the cursed fig tree, let us pray in our hearts for the faith the Lord asks us to have. We have been assured, if we can approach that level of trust in God, all things are possible.
Pax
[2] The picture is “The Accursed Fig Tree” by James Tissot, 1886-94
[4] See NAB Footnote on 1 Peter 4:7-11
[5] The Navarre Bible: “Psalms”, Scepter Publishers, Princeton, NJ, © 2003, pp. 324
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