27-May-16

Gospel MK 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.”
Reflection:
"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."
In this simple little passage, we can see two things of importance. The first thing Jesus did upon arriving in Jerusalem was to "look around at everything."
He surveyed the scene where the confrontation between the love of God and the selfishness of man was about to take place.
The second thing is that His twelve hand picked apostles are still with Him. Although they are frightened and confused by His determination to confront the authorities, they continue to stand by Him.
I am reminded of the words of Peter in the gospel of John: "So Jesus asked the twelve, “Do you also wish to go away?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.” (John 6: 67-69)
Knowing what He was about to face in Jerusalem, Jesus then "....went out to Bethany with the Twelve." Bethany was a place of peace where His friends Lazarus, Mary and Martha lived. In Bethany, He could pray, rest in peace and prepare himself for what lay ahead.
The next day, "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 priests had authority over the temple area. For a substantial fee, the priests had authorized the merchants to sell their wares within the walls of the temple. In driving the merchants from the temple, Jesus was sending a stern message to the religious leaders. It was wrong for them to profit from the sincere desire of people to come to the temple to worship their God.
"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."
This is the turning point where Jesus became more than simply a man with a new message who was somewhat of a nuisance to the religious leaders. Now, He was threatening their profits and their control over the people. It was for these reasons that they were "seeking a way to put him to death...."
"Therefore I tell you, all that you ask for in prayer,
believe that you will receive it and it shall be yours."
Knowing what lay ahead, Jesus encourages His followers to pray,
and to pray with an expectant faith.
"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.”
Jesus reminds us of the truth of His words that a "house divided against itself cannot stand." We cannot reasonably ask God for forgiveness for our sins and at the same time harbor a grudge against those who have offended us.

"I ask you to ensure that humanity is served by wealth, not ruled by it." - - Pope Francis