Saturday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time

Mark 11:27-33

Jesus and his disciples returned once more to Jerusalem. As he was walking in the temple area,

the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders approached him and said to him, “By what authority are you doing these things? Or who gave you this authority to do them?” Jesus said to them, “I shall ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things.

Was John’s baptism of heavenly or of human origin? Answer me.” They discussed this among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘Of heavenly origin,’ he will say, ‘Then why did you not believe him?’ But shall we say, ‘Of human origin’?”—they feared the crowd, for they all thought John really was a prophet. So they said to Jesus in reply, “We do not know.” Then Jesus said to them,

“Neither shall I tell you by what authority I do these things.”

Opening Prayer: Lord, I come to you today to praise you and to honor you. You are the king of my life, and I thank you for the authority of love you have over me.

Encountering Christ:

1. Love and Authority: “By what authority are you doing these things?” the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders asked Jesus. For them, authority meant power and dominion. But for Jesus, authority means a relationship of love, such as between a father and son. It is no wonder that Jesus then brought up John’s baptism in response to them. It was through this baptism that “we are reborn as sons of God” (CCC 1213). When we think of God’s authoritative love, let us remember his character: merciful, gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness (cf. CCC 210).

    

2. Humility to Listen: This wasn’t the first time that the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders heard Jesus speak, but they just couldn’t realize the truth about who Jesus was. They lacked humility. Jesus’ words can never pierce our hearts if we just hear them. We need the trust, simplicity, and humility to listen so we can arrive at the answer and rejoice at knowing and loving the truth our hearts seek.

    

3. Seeking Answers Elsewhere: Here, we saw the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders talking among themselves, looking for answers, when the answer was right in front of them. Sometimes, we do the same thing. When we are confused or distraught, do we lean into our relationship with Jesus and enter into a dialogue with him in our prayer? We know that Jesus is all-knowing and all-powerful and full of love for us, so we can trust that he has the answers to the questions that unsettle our hearts. Why do we ever look elsewhere?

Conversing with Christ: Dear Jesus, help me to surrender my whole life to you more perfectly. Help me to overcome any sin that separates me from you, and allow me to grow in the certainty that you love me.

Resolution: Lord, today by your grace I will face any decisions I make by first coming to you interiorly in prayer.

For Further Reflection: I will meditate on God’s authoritative love by reading Psalm 100.

Beverly Dalton is a writer and lives in the city of Manila. She also works for a Catholic psychology center, helping out with research studies and programs for the poor. When she is not busy, she spends time with her mom and sister, and occasionally finds leisure and relaxation in soapmaking as seen in @twosistershome.ph.

Friday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time

Mark 11:11-26

Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple area. He looked around at everything and, since it was already late, went out to Bethany with the Twelve. The next day as they were leaving Bethany he was hungry. Seeing from a distance a fig tree in leaf, he went over to see if he could find anything on it. When he reached it he found nothing but leaves; it was not the time for figs. And he said to it in reply, “May no one ever eat of your fruit again!” And his disciples heard it. They came to Jerusalem, and on entering the temple area he began to drive out those selling and buying there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who were selling doves. He did not permit anyone to carry anything through the temple area. Then he taught them saying, “Is it not written: My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples? But you have made it a den of thieves.” The chief priests and the scribes came to hear of it and were seeking a way to put him to death, yet they feared him because the whole crowd was astonished at his teaching. When evening came, they went out of the city. Early in the morning, as they were walking along, they saw the fig tree withered to its roots. Peter remembered and said to him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered.” Jesus said to them in reply, “Have faith in God. Amen, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it shall be done for him. Therefore I tell you, all that you ask for in prayer, believe that you will receive it and it shall be yours. When you stand to pray, forgive anyone against whom you have a grievance, so that your heavenly Father may in turn forgive you your transgressions.”

Opening Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, I thank you for all the mighty and wondrous things you have done for me as well as for every answered and unanswered prayer. Out of your love for me, you continue to help me to grow in my relationship with you. Give me the wisdom to know what to ask of you and the courage to yield to your will because I know that your will is the best for me.

Encountering Christ:

1. A Temple for Prayer: In this Gospel, we read that Jesus journeyed to the city of Jerusalem and entered the temple there. He was not happy with what he saw. The temple was a sacred space, but the people had turned it into a “den of thieves.” By their behavior, they disgraced themselves and offended God. We are also temples of the Holy Spirit. Our Lord has given us the Ten Commandments and the Beatitudes so that we can worship God in purity and holiness through our bodies, minds, and souls. If we disgrace ourselves, Jesus has given us the sacrament of reconciliation to restore our temple so that we can once again worship him worthily.

    

2. Prayer Changes You: Jesus used the withered fig tree to teach the Apostles a lesson about faith. “Have faith in God,” Jesus says. “Do not doubt.” Pope Francis encouraged us to let everything enter into our dialogue with God—our joys as well as guilt, love as well as suffering, friendship as much as sickness. He added that “everything can become a word spoken to [God] who always listens to us” and that “prayer leaves us in God’s hands.” When we pray in a spirit of faith to the best of our ability, perhaps even pleading, “help my unbelief,” God’s grace flows, and we are slowly transformed into other Christs.

    

3. Forgive Us Our Trespasses: Prayer and forgiveness work hand in hand. The last line of this Gospel passage is similar to a line in the Lord’s Prayer. “Forgive us our trespasseses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” Here, we ask God to forgive us the way we forgive others. We need God’s help to forgive others. True and sincere prayer yields love and forgiveness towards our brothers and sisters who have hurt us. It melts our hardened hearts.

Conversing with Christ: Dear Jesus, thank you for always accompanying me in my joys and sufferings. Lord Jesus, I believe that you can take away my pain, my wounds, and my unforgiveness towards those who have wronged me. Soften my heart and let your love grow in it so I, too, can love those around me without expecting anything in return.

Resolution: Lord, today by your grace I will pray for a friend who needs comfort and peace.

For Further Reflection: Read the Catechesis on Prayer of Pope Francis in his General Audience of June 24, 2020, and learn from the prayer of David.

Beverly Dalton is a writer and lives in the city of Manila. She also works for a Catholic psychology center, helping out with research studies and programs for the poor. When she is not busy, she spends time with her mom and sister, and occasionally finds leisure and relaxation in soapmaking as seen in @twosistershome.ph.

Thursday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time

Mark 10:46-52

As Jesus was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a sizable crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind man, the son of Timaeus, sat by the roadside begging. On hearing that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, son of David, have pity on me.” And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he kept calling out all the more, “Son of David, have pity on me.” Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take courage; get up, Jesus is calling you.” He threw aside his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus. Jesus said to him in reply, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man replied to him, “Master, I want to see.” Jesus told him, ‘Go your way; your faith has saved you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed him on the way.

Opening Prayer: Lord Jesus, my friend and my savior, I come to you today to thank you for the gift of faith. Sometimes I am blinded by fear and yet you help me see that there is truly nothing to fear as long as I’m with you. You direct my heart and my mind towards you, and you fill me with the peace of your Spirit. Help me to grow in confidence in living my faith each day.

Encountering Christ:

1. A Humble Heart: Bartimaeus teaches us about humility. As Jesus passed by, he called out unreservedly, even though people were telling him to keep silent. In the depths of his heart, he was humble enough to admit he needed Jesus’ mercy to heal him. “Have pity on me,” he pleaded. Sometimes we are so blinded by our pride that we are unable to sense how near Jesus is to us. Or we are hindered by what we think others might say. It takes humility and courage to admit that we can do nothing on our own and that we need Jesus. Only with Jesus is everything possible.

    

2. A Collaboration: When Jesus heard Bartimaeus calling for him, Jesus did a surprising thing. He didn’t walk up to Bartimaeus; rather, he asked Bartamaeus to come to him. In doing so, Jesus involved the crowd who told Bartimaeus, “Take courage, get up.” Jesus always wants us to collaborate with him. When we do our part, whatever the Holy Spirit inspires through our gifts, we allow Jesus to heal and restore those around us as he healed Bartimaeus.

    

3. The Cloak of the Past: When Bartimaeus responded to Jesus’ call, “he threw aside his cloak” and followed him. The cloak of Bartimaeus represented his old life, which he tossed aside as he “sprang up” to go to Jesus. Are we ready to set aside our past, our sin and darkness, and whatever is blinding us to the love of Jesus? He is calling us to surrender our brokenness and come to him: the source of consolation, healing, peace, and hope in our life.

Conversing with Christ: Dear Jesus, I humbly seek your help to let go of my past hurts and wounds in my life. I realize that I am still covered by my own cloak of darkness and that I need your light. I will take courage and follow you because I believe that only you can heal me and make all things new.

Resolution: Lord, today by your grace I will surrender my worries to you in the Eucharist, either at Mass or by making a visit to the tabernacle.

For Further Reflection: Learn more about radical discipleship on this Retreat Guide “Called and Chosen.”

Beverly Dalton is a writer and lives in the city of Manila. She also works for a Catholic psychology center, helping out with research studies and programs for the poor. When she is not busy, she spends time with her mom and sister, and occasionally finds leisure and relaxation in soapmaking as seen in @twosistershome.ph.