From the Gospel according to 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. 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.”
Today we see the Lord 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.”
Here I see how many times I turn my heart, which is the temple where the Holy Spirit dwells, into a den of thieves. I let myself be carried away by selfishness toward my spouse, and I fall into complaining. Or I let myself be carried away by pride, and I place myself above my spouse… And even more, I make it difficult for my spouse’s heart to see the Holy Spirit in my heart. Because of my concupiscence, I do not administer the grace of God, but rather “disgrace.” But You, Lord, redeemed us and left us the sacraments so that we can begin again. And You gave us the Theology of the Body so that we may learn that the Grace of God is far greater than my concupiscence, and that fills us with hope.
Isabella: Paul, how many times have I told you not to leave your glasses on the sofa? They’re going to get broken!
Paul: Yes, Isabella, I forget…
Isabella: It’s always the same, you always forget, and there’s no way you’ll remember, honestly…
Paul: Well, Isabella, what do you want me to do? I’m absent-minded, that’s all.
Isabella: This is really getting out of hand…
That night, Isabella read this Gospel passage, and after their marital prayer…
Isabella: Paul, forgive me, because the Lord has shown me that I should not accuse you but help you. My pride blinds me so much. And when I come home tired, it only gets worse…
Paul: No, don’t worry please. The Lord shows me that I should welcome your gift of tidiness, as well as your gift of perseverance in prayer. What would I do without your perseverance!
Isabella: Lord, I ask You to help me grow in humility.
Paul: Lord, I thank You for my wife’s perseverance in prayer.
Teach us the path to having a pure heart like yours, so that we may not offend the Lord. Glory to God!
