A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark
Jesus said to the disciples, “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.”
Jesus and his disciples are on their way to Jerusalem for Passover. As they approach the city, Jesus sees a fig tree in leaf. He goes to the tree, hoping to find some figs, but there are none. Jesus curses the tree. Later, in the temple area, he drives out those selling and buying there. The next day, the tree he cursed is found to be withered. Jesus’ curse of the fig tree in a way shows that God wants us to be people of faith in his Kingdom—not money changers, not living a life of buying and selling material things—but to bear good fruit in our lives through our words and actions. In my heart, how do I put away doubt, and trust that God has infinite power to accomplish whatever I ask for in prayer?
God, help me understand today’s Gospel. In the pursuit of having enough in this life—and some stored away just in case—it’s easy to make material gain the primary aim. I don’t want that for myself, and I don’t want to be bound by fruitless pursuits. Lord, help me take to heart the words of your Son and trust that what he says doesn’t merely reflect reality but instead shapes it: “Therefore I tell you, all that you ask for in prayer, believe that you will receive it and it shall be yours.” Lord, provide for me where faith is lacking; give me the grace to be bold in what I ask for and believe that it will happen.
Lord, I know that you love me. Help me remain childlike in my trust. From the responsorial psalm: “For the LORD loves his people, and he adorns the lowly with victory. The Lord takes delight in his people.”
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
**Announcement: Please join me in praying a novena to Saint Anthony from June 5 to June 13. I’ll return to daily Gospel reflections on June 14.**