Reflection for May 29 Friday of the Eighth in Ordinary Time: Mark 11:11-26

Gospel: Mark 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 could find anything on it. When he reached 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 permit 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 came to hear of it and were seeking a way to put him to death, yet they feared him because the whole crowd was 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 yours. When you stand to pray, forgive anyone against whom you have a grievance, so that your heavenly Father may in turn forgive you your transgressions.”

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Reflection:

Isn’t it frightening how Jesus condemned the barren fig tree? As we reflect on this, we cannot help but ask ourselves: could this also happen to us? Yet, why should we wait for such a moment of condemnation when God, in His mercy and love, is still giving us time and opportunity to renew our lives and return to Him?

Let us, therefore, humbly turn away from every form of sinfulness while we still have time. Each day is a grace-filled invitation from the Lord to change, to grow, and to bear fruits worthy of our calling as His followers. 

As we walk away from sin, let us also strive to become fruitful and faithful disciples of Jesus by sharing and living out His teachings in our daily lives. Otherwise, like the barren fig tree, we too may become spiritually barren in this world.

If we do not know how to share His teachings through words, then let us proclaim Him through the witness of our lives. In the kindness we show, in the forgiveness we extend, in the humility we practice, and in the love we give, others will recognize that we truly belong to Jesus. Let us not be deceived by the ways of the world, for they only lead to emptiness, restlessness, and a life without true peace and lasting joy.

The day will surely come when we will stand before God in judgment (Matthew 25:31–46). On that day, may our hearts not be found empty and barren, but fruitful with faith, love, mercy, and obedience to His will.

While we still have time, let us ask ourselves: Are we truly bearing fruits that glorify God, or are we merely living for ourselves while slowly becoming barren before Him?– Marino J. Dasmarinas