Meditation:
On the third day of creation, God created the plants. When God created mankind, he told them to be fruitful and multiply, that is, to be like the fruit trees. However, mankind failed to be like a good fruit tree, and only produced many rotten fruits. Today, we remember how during Holy Week Jesus cursed the fig tree to wither and die, as a sign to all those who do not act like good trees. God created all living things, and so keeps them in His providence, but also can withdraw it.
Reading: Matt 21:18–22
In the morning, as he was returning to the city, he was hungry. And seeing a fig tree by the wayside he went to it, and found nothing on it but leaves only. And he said to it, “May no fruit ever come from you again!” And the fig tree withered at once. When the disciples saw it they marveled, saying, “How did the fig tree wither at once?” And Jesus answered them, “Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and never doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ it will be done. And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”
Prayer:
Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts.
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
