The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today remind us that our mission as disciples of Christ lies outside the dominant culture of society and is directed by the prompting of the Holy Spirit.
The reading from the Book of Sirach is a hymn in Honour of Our Ancestors.
* [44:1–15] The reader is here introduced to those people of Israel, later mentioned by name, who through various achievements and beneficial social activities have acquired great renown (vv. 1–8, 14–15); and also to those who, though forgotten, endure through the fruit of their virtues and through their families because of God’s covenant with them (vv. 9–15). (Sirach, CHAPTER 44, n.d.)
Psalm 149 offers praise for God’s Goodness to Israel.
* [Psalm 149] A hymn inviting the people of Israel to celebrate their God in song and festive dance (Ps 149:1–3, 5) because God has chosen them and given them victory (Ps 149:4). The exodus and conquest are the defining acts of Israel; the people must be ready to do again those acts in the future at the divine command (Ps 149:6–9). (Psalms, PSALM 149, n.d.)
In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus curses the Fig Tree, cleanses the Temple and shares the lesson from the withered Fig Tree.
* [11:12–14] Jesus’ search for fruit on the fig tree recalls the prophets’ earlier use of this image to designate Israel; cf. Jer 8:13; 29:17; Jl 1:7; Hos 9:10, 16. Cursing the fig tree is a parable in action representing Jesus’ judgment (Mk 11:20) on barren Israel and the fate of Jerusalem for failing to receive his teaching; cf. Is 34:4; Hos 2:14; Lk 13:6–9.
* [11:15–19] See note on Mt 21:12–17. (Mark, CHAPTER 11, n.d.)
Eileen Wirth (1999) comments that this rather difficult passage seems to be teaching us a lot of lessons that don't jibe with the sappy pictures of Jesus on the china plates.
This Jesus demands that we take stands on behalf of justice even when that causes controversy. Who knows? We might even have to do something that would cost us some friends or make our boss mad or cost us a customer. Like Jesus, we might have to pay a price for being righteous.
This Jesus tells us to make outrageous requests of God and have confidence we will be answered. However this tough Jesus also warns us not to expect much from God if we haven't cleansed ourselves first by forgiving others.
In a lot of ways, the syrupy Jesus of the awful pictures is a lot easier to deal with than this Jesus because he'd be a nice guy and let us slide by. This Jesus unsettles us because we're probably a lot more comfortable with a more accommodationist Jesus.
Can we cope with Jesus like this?
It's a question we answer everyday with the decisions we make about acting righteously and forgiving others. (Wirth, 2023)
Don Schwager quotes “Attaining the fruit of mercy and goodness in the school of Christ,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.
"Some who witnessed Christ's miracles did not understand what they meant, and how they spoke to those who knew they had special meaning. They wondered only at the miracles themselves. Others both marveled at the miracles, and attained some preliminary understanding of them. For this we must come to the school of Christ himself. Those fixed only upon the plain sense of Scripture tend to focus merely upon miracle for miracles' sake. Hence they may prematurely conclude that Jesus himself was ignorant of the time of the year, something any ordinary farmer could discern. For it was not yet the season for the tree to bear fruit. Nevertheless, since he was hungry, he looked for fruit on the tree (Mark 11:13). Does this imply that Christ knew less than what every peasant could easily discern? Surely not. Wouldn't you expect the maker of the fig tree to know what the ordinary orchard worker would know in a snap? So when he was hungry he looked for fruit on the tree, but he seemed to be looking for something more from this tree. He noted that the tree had no fruit, but was full of leaves. It was at that point that he cursed it, and it withered away. So what terrible thing had the poor tree done simply in not bearing fruit? Could the tree reasonably be faulted for its fruitlessness? No. But human beings who by their own free will decide not to bear fruit - that is a different matter. Those found wanting in accountability in this case are those who had the benefit of the law, which was meant to bear fruit, but they had no fruit to show for it. They had a full growth of leaves (the law), yet they bore no fruit (works of mercy)." (excerpt from SERMONS ON NEW TESTAMENT LESSONS 48.3.16) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Mark 11:11-26 comments that just as Jesus wanted the Temple to be a house of prayer, so he wants the temple of our hearts to be a place where we can meet him.
Jesus’ love is for everyone. Don’t think you’re too sinful or unworthy or not holy enough. The Lord treasures you just as much as he treasures the greatest saint. He loves to speak to you.
So come to him—right now. Let his love fill you to overflowing.
“Jesus, I am amazed that you welcome me, a sinner, into your presence. Here I am, Lord, ready to hear your word and know your love.” (Meditation on Mark 11:11-26, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments on the celebration of the heroes of Israel by Sirach in a time of dominance of Greek culture in the region. The expectation of figs at Passover mirrors the unexpected appearance of Jesus as Suffering Servant in contrast to messianic expectations. Friar Jude discusses the fig tree as a lesson in the development of faith.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Theologian Grace Ji-Sun Kim who recounts the events of the first Pentecost. He reminds us that it is the Holy Spirit who moves us to do the work of God.
The Spirit gives us life and moves us to do the work of God and bear the fruits of the Spirit. We cannot see the Spirit, but we can experience the work of the Spirit. The Spirit lives in us and inspires us when we are frightened, disheartened, and confused—states in which we often find ourselves. Pentecost fulfills Jesus’ promise and the Old Testament prophecies (Acts 2:1–13). Pentecost established that it is the Spirit that will move the people to do God’s work. (Rohr, 2023)
We acknowledge in our prayer that we require continued guidance and grace to bear fruit as workers in Jesus Way.
References
Mark, CHAPTER 11. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved June 2, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/11?11
Meditation on Mark 11:11-26. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved June 2, 2023, from https://wau.org/meditations/2023/06/02/698196/
Psalms, PSALM 149. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved June 2, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/149?1
Rohr, R. (2023, June 2). Empowered to Do the Work of God — Center for Action and Contemplation. Daily Meditations Archive: 2023. Retrieved June 2, 2023, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/empowered-to-do-the-work-of-god-2023-06-02/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Have Faith in God. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved June 2, 2023, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2023&date=jun2
Sirach, CHAPTER 44. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved June 2, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/sirach/44?1
Wirth, E. (2023, June 2). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved June 2, 2023, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/060223.html
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