tree covered with leaves; so he went to see if he could find anything on it.
When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs.
Then Jesus said to the fig tree, “May no one ever eat your fruit!”
When they reached Jerusalem, Jesus went to the temple, and began to drive away all
the people he saw buying and selling there.
“Does not God say in the Scriptures: My house will be called a House of Prayer for
all the nations? But you have turned it into a den of thieves.”
Early next morning as they walked along the road, the disciples saw the fig tree
withered to its roots. Peter then said to him, “Master, look! The fig tree you cursed
has withered.”
And Jesus replied, “Have faith in God. Truly, I say to you, if you say to this mountain,
‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ and have no doubt in your heart, but believe that
what you say will happen, it will be done for you. Therefore, I tell you, whatever you
ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it shall be done for you.
Reflect
Searching for family connections has become very popular in recent years,
aided by new technologies. The Internet allows easy searching of massive databases
and DNA testing can help to identify previously unknown biological relatives.
Television programs help people discover their roots and track down longlost
relatives.
We want to know that we belong somewhere, that we are part of something greater
than ourselves. Scripture and Tradition are filled with the stories of our family of faith.
The Book of Sirach, from which our first reading comes, spends several chapters
recounting the lives of our ancestors in the faith, as does the Letter to the Hebrews.
The other books of both the Old and the New Testaments are full of stories of sinners
and heroes, great leaders and lowly beggars, who lived their faith throughout their
lives. History recounts thousands more saints who lived with such virtue that they
can serve as models for us. Each of us has a part to play in the great history of the
Church, living our faith in relationship with God and his people. What role is God
calling you to play?
© Copyright Bible Diary 2023