Friday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time
(I Peter 4:7-13; Mark 11:11-26)
If you are offended by today’s gospel, you are not alone. Some sympathize with the money changers and
the dove merchants in the Temple. Soft
hearts say, “They are only doing what others have done for centuries to earn a
living for their families.” Or you may
be scandalized by Jesus’ condemnation of the fig tree. “Is Jesus ecologically indifferent?” tree-huggers
ask.
The problem lies, however, not in Jesus’ actions but in people’s
inability to appreciate what is taking place. It may not be “the time for figs,”
but it is the time for salvation. The
world must stop and take notice if it is to survive. More than humankind is at stake. With the Death, Resurrection, Ascension of
Jesus and the Descent of the Holy Spirit all creation will be renewed. This is not a business-as-usual moment, but one
that cries for repentance and belief.
St. Paul will tell us in his Second Letter to the
Corinthians, “Behold, now is a very acceptable time; behold, now is the day of
salvation.” We must always live in this
“now” by practicing every word that Jesus has taught us. Jesus may offend at times, but his offense is
given to heal us. He calls our attention
to his redemption that is taking place.
