“Giving heed to the warnings and exhortations of the Lord, and building our lives by co-operating with the Grace of God!”
(Based on Sir 44:1, 9-13 and
Mk 11:11-26 – Friday of the 8th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)
The Gospel of St Mark has many “sandwich” passages.
“Sandwich” stories are a literary technique in which the narration of one story begins, but is interrupted by another story, before finishing the first one.
Some of the examples of these “sandwich stories” are…
In Mk 3: 20-35, we have…
Mk 3:20-22: Jesus’ family members set out to seize Him
Mk 3: 23-30: Jesus speaks to the Pharisees on their accusation of Him
Mk 3: 31-35: Jesus family comes to meet Him
In Mk 5: 21-43, we have…
Mk 5: 21-24: Jesus is pleaded by Jairus to heal his daughter
Mk 5: 25-34: The woman suffering from haemorrhage is healed
Mk 5: 35-43: Jesus heals the daughter of Jairus
In Mk 6: 7-33, we have…
Mk 6: 7-13: The disciples sent on a mission
Mk 6: 14-29: Herod’s opinion on John the Baptist and the narrative of the beheading.
Mk 6: 30-33: The disciples return from the mission
In Mk 14: 1-11, we have…
Mk 14: 1-2: The Conspiracy against Jesus
Mk 14: 3-9: The anointing of Jesus at Bethany
Mk 14: 10-11: The conspiracy plan by Judas to betray Jesus
Such kind of “sandwich” layers illustrates points for reflection by showing ..
… similarities and contrasts between the outside and the inside layers.
… the first and the last as “the bread”‘ and the centre one as the “filling” of the sandwich!
Today’s Gospel also follows this “sandwich-story” structure: Mk 11: 12-25
Mk 11: 12-14: Jesus cursing the fig tree
Mk 11: 15-19: Jesus cleansing the Temple
Mk 11: 20-24: Jesus’ teaching on the withered fig tree
There are many similarities and contrasts between the “bread” – the outside layers and the “filling” – the inside layers in this ‘sandwich’ passage…
- Symbols
The fig tree represents the people of Israel
The Temple was the symbol of the worship and faith of the people of Israel - Reaction of Jesus is “at the entry”
The fig tree was cursed when “Jesus was nearing”… on His way to Jerusalem
The Temple was cleansed as Jesus “entered” the temple - “Leaves seen, but no fruit”
The fig tree bore only leaves, but no fruits were found on it
The Temple had many activities (leaves) but no faith or religiosity was seen (fruits) - Jesus performs an action of fury and rage
The fig tree is cursed and it withers
The Temple is cursed and cleansed
Some of the key messages of both these stories invite us to reflect on our own life…
- God’s demand to be fruit-bearing
The fig tree as well as the Temple failed to bear fruits…
As Christians, we are expected and demanded by God to bear fruits and be co-operative to the graces that God has blessed us with
- Importance of repentance and cleansing
The fig tree is judged for its fruitlessness while the Temple is cleansed due to its uncleanness
As Christians, we are to repent and cleanse our hearts of all defilements, lethargy and sluggishness and become relevant and effective people of God
- Harsh consequences are in store for the unfaithful and unfruitful
The fig tree is cursed while the Temple undergoes the wrath of the Zealous Jesus
As Christians, we are to realise that strong consequences are for sure, if we fail in our duties and responsibilities
The Gospel of the Day is a strong exhortation by Jesus…
… to become aware of our Christian duties
… the need to be faithful and ever watchful
… and become zealous in bearing fruits for the Kingdom of God.
Let us give heed to the warnings and exhortations of the Lord, and build our lives by co-operating with the Grace of God…
…so that we become persons of “Faith and Fruitfulness!”
God Bless! Live Jesus!
📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
THE CELEBRATION OF THE CHRISTIAN MYSTERY – THE SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY- Mixed marriages and disparity of cult
According to the law in force in the Latin Church, a mixed marriage needs for liceity the express permission of ecclesiastical authority.
In case of disparity of cult an express dispensation from this impediment is required for the validity of the marriage.
This permission or dispensation presupposes that both parties know and do not exclude the essential ends and properties of marriage…
… and furthermore that the Catholic party confirms the obligations, which have been made known to the non-Catholic party
… of preserving his or her own faith… and ensuring the baptism and education of the children in the Catholic Church. (CCC # 1635)
Reflection Capsules 