Friday, May 27, 2016

Homily: Friday - 8th Week of OT 2016 - Intense Love and Authentic Faith

These days a lot of people want to portray Jesus as the epitome of the sensitive New Age guy.  Alas, if you are looking for the huggable Jesus, you aren’t going to find him in today’s Gospel reading.

First, he curses the fig tree.  Next, he chases the money changers out of the temple.  Finally, he gives his disciples a beautiful, yet challenging teaching on authentic faith.  What’s going on here?

What we have today are strong examples of Jesus in his role as prophet.  It’s helpful to remember that the primary role of the prophet is not to tell the future.  Rather the prophet is first and foremost the mouthpiece of God, calling people back to fidelity to the covenant. 

Oftentimes, they would do this in dramatic ways which called attention to their message.  Sometimes it was a miracle, other times it was a symbolic action like breaking a clay jar or wearing strange clothing.  The curse of the fig tree and the cleansing of the temple are two such prophetic acts by which the people come to know Jesus as a prophet.  Once he has their attention, then he can tell them what God wants them to hear.

In this case, it is a beautiful teaching on Faith. “Have Faith!”  Jesus says.  Do not be barren as the fig tree, or disobedient as the money changers in the Temple. Real faith involves bearing fruit for the kingdom, having a vibrant prayer life of trust and confidence in God, and turning away from all sin. If we do not turn away from sin, if we do not pray, if we do not bear fruit, we are like this cursed, withered, dying fig tree.  We will be judged by the fruit we bear.

Likely, with this vivid image of the fig tree in mind, St. Peter wrote in our first reading, “The end of all things is at hand…be serious and sober-minded…let your love for one another be intense” In other words, keep the end in mind, that we will be judged according to our works, the fruit we bear, or lack thereof.  And make sure you are following the Law of Intense Charity that the Lord laid down for each of us, that he showed us himself on the cross. 

Today, perhaps consider fruits of the Holy Spirit: generosity, chastity, self-control, patience, kindness.  Which of these fruits do you need to tend, to nurture through prayer and action? What sinful or selfish parts of your life does the Lord desire to prune, to cut back, that you may be purified and enlivened.


As we receive Christ’s Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity in the Eucharist today, may we fully cooperate with His transforming and sanctifying grace that we may bear fruit for the glory of God and salvation of souls. 

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