Friday, June 1, 2018
TODAY'S REFLECTION-FRIDAY - 8TH WEEK - ORDINARY TIME
St. Justin, martyr
1 Peter 4:7-13/Psalm 99:1-5/Mark 11:11-26
HAVE FAITH IN GOD
Beloved, today Holy Mother Church celebrates the memorial of St. Justin. He was born of pagan parents. He got converted to the faith later in life. He studied philosophy. He wrote many works to defend the Christian faith and religion. Based on his firm faith and credible witness, he was martyred with other companions during the reign of Marcus Aurelius.
St. Peter in our today's first reading, helps us to reflect on prayer. That, we should be calm and sober when praying. That, our love should be sincere. That, we should know how to speak. That, we should be glad to share in Christ's suffering in order to enjoy greater gladness when Christ's glory is revealed.
Friends, in our today's Gospel reading, Jesus' actions and utterances look surprising. He cursed a fig tree and caused it to wither, because he was hungry and could not find fruits on it at the time it was not time for fig trees to bear fruits. He drove out people selling and buying in the temple. That, if we have faith, we can move mountains. That, if we don't forgive others, our Father in heaven will not also forgive us. We can learn a lot more deeply from the above. We are expected to produce fruits of holiness and good works every moment and every circumstance. Jesus wants to see our goodness any time he comes around us. No matter how strong, firm or deep rooted our problem is, faith in God and fervent prayers can help us overcome it. We can't expect to bear good fruits or overcome our difficulties/challenges if we buy and sell one another in God's temple and refuse to forgive one another. Let us be serious with our prayer life, have faith in God, forgive one another and bear fruits of holiness and good works. BE BLESSED.
Fr. Gaa (0206854323/0240308878)