Reflection
In today’s Gospel, Jesus curses a fig tree and overturns the tables of the money changers and the seats of those selling doves. What can we learn from these actions of Our Lord?
Jesus’ actions in the Temple in Jerusalem fulfill the prophecy found in Malachi 3:1-3. “Now I am sending my messenger – he will prepare the way before me; And the Lord whom you seek will come suddenly to his temple” (Malachi 3:1). Jesus entered suddenly into the Temple and judged what he saw. Malachi asks, “But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand firm when he appears? … He will sit refining and purifying silver, and he will purify the Levites, refining them like gold or silver, that they may bring offerings to the Lord in righteousness” (Malachi 3:2-3). Jesus’s actions were acts of purification, meant to rid the Temple of all that was not in accord with the proper worship of God. He did this to teach the disciples a valuable lesson, which is reinforced by His cursing of the fig tree.
As Jesus walked to Jerusalem from Bethany on Monday morning, he was hungry and looked to a fig tree to satisfy his hunger, only to find it fruitless. Jesus cursed the fig tree because of its fruitlessness, even though it was two months before the fig tree was supposed to bear fruit. Jesus didn’t curse the tree out of anger or hunger. When the disciples saw the withered tree the next day, they reminded the Lord of His power. But Jesus was about to teach them a lesson about their own faith. The tree’s lack of fruit signifies the absence of faith and prayer that Jesus finds in the Temple. At the time of Jesus’ visit, the Temple and its leadership are devoid of the spiritual fruit that God desires.
By prophetically cursing the fig tree, Jesus is signaling that Israel’s Temple worship and sacrifices, with all their earthly splendor, are ending. Just as the fig tree came to an end, and was withered to its roots, so also the Temple will come to an end. The tree is not only fruitless, but completely dead. Another, more fruitful tree must take its place. Perhaps in the background is Ezekiel’s vision of the new temple, from which flowed a river with trees along its banks, bearing fruit all year round (Ezekiel 47:1-12; see Mark 11:13). In the new temple, established by Jesus, the Sacraments of the Church will provide nourishment and healing all year round (see Revelation 22:2).
Jesus concludes the Gospel by encouraging the disciples to ask for things in prayer with unshakable belief in God. Our strong faith will lead to many blessings from God. But we are reminded that we must, before asking favors from God, forgive those who have sinned against us so that God may in turn forgive us our sins. This is an important part of the Lord’s Prayer that calls us to forgive others in a spirit of humility, knowing that we too are indeed sinners.
Today’s Questions for Prayer and Reflection
Is my life truly bearing spiritual fruit? How do I need to purify the temple of my heart this week of any bad, sinful habits?
Source for today’s reflection: https://epriest.com/reflections/view/3445