20260529 BE FRUITFUL: DO ALL THINGS FOR THE GREATER GLORY OF GOD
29 May 2026, Friday, 8th Week in Ordinary Time
First reading | 1 Peter 4:7-13 |
Each of you has received a special grace
Everything will soon come to an end, so, to pray better, keep a calm and sober mind. Above all, never let your love for each other grow insincere, since love covers over many a sin. Welcome each other into your houses without grumbling. Each one of you has received a special grace, so, like good stewards responsible for all these different graces of God, put yourselves at the service of others. If you are a speaker, speak in words which seem to come from God; if you are a helper, help as though every action was done at God’s orders; so that in everything God may receive the glory, through Jesus Christ, since to him alone belong all glory and power for ever and ever. Amen.
My dear people, you must not think it unaccountable that you should be tested by fire. There is nothing extraordinary in what has happened to you. If you can have some share in the sufferings of Christ, be glad, because you will enjoy a much greater gladness when his glory is revealed.
Responsorial Psalm |
Psalm 95(96):10-13 |
The Lord comes to rule the earth.
Proclaim to the nations: ‘God is king.’
The world he made firm in its place;
he will judge the peoples in fairness.
The Lord comes to rule the earth.
Let the heavens rejoice and earth be glad,
let the sea and all within it thunder praise,
let the land and all it bears rejoice,
all the trees of the wood shout for joy
at the presence of the Lord for he comes,
he comes to rule the earth.
The Lord comes to rule the earth.
With justice he will rule the world,
he will judge the peoples with his truth.
The Lord comes to rule the earth.
Gospel Acclamation | Ps118:36,29 |
Alleluia, alleluia!
Bend my heart to your will, O Lord,
and teach me your law.
Alleluia!
Or: | cf.Jn15:16 |
Alleluia, alleluia!
I chose you from the world
to go out and bear fruit,
fruit that will last,
says the Lord.
Alleluia!
Gospel | Mark 11:11-26 |
The fig tree; the cleansing of the Temple
After he had been acclaimed by the crowds, Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the Temple. He looked all round him, but as it was now late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve.
Next day as they were leaving Bethany, he felt hungry. Seeing a fig tree in leaf some distance away, he went to see if he could find any fruit on it, but when he came up to it he found nothing but leaves; for it was not the season for figs. And he addressed the fig tree. ‘May no one ever eat fruit from you again’ he said. And his disciples heard him say this.
So they reached Jerusalem and he went into the Temple and began driving out those who were selling and buying there; he upset the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those who were selling pigeons. Nor would he allow anyone to carry anything through the Temple. And he taught them and said, ‘Does not scripture say: My house will be called a house of prayer for all the peoples? But you have turned it into a robbers’ den.’ This came to the ears of the chief priests and the scribes, and they tried to find some way of doing away with him; they were afraid of him because the people were carried away by his teaching. And when evening came he went out of the city.
Next morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree withered to the roots. Peter remembered. ‘Look, Rabbi,’ he said to Jesus, ‘the fig tree you cursed has withered away.’ Jesus answered, ‘Have faith in God. I tell you solemnly, if anyone says to this mountain, “Get up and throw yourself into the sea,” with no hesitation in his heart but believing that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. I tell you therefore: everything you ask and pray for, believe that you have it already, and it will be yours. And when you stand in prayer, forgive whatever you have against anybody, so that your Father in heaven may forgive your failings too. But if you do not forgive, your Father in heaven will not forgive your failings either.’
BE FRUITFUL: DO ALL THINGS FOR THE GREATER GLORY OF GOD
SCRIPTURE READINGS: [1 Pt 4:7-13; Ps 96:10-13; Mk 11:11-26]
The keystone of Jesuit spirituality is found in its motto, “Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam”, which means ‘For the greater glory of God’. This is an extract from St Paul’s letter to the Corinthians where he wrote: “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God.” (1 Cor 10:31) While these words originally addressed the appropriateness of eating food that had been sacrificed to idols, the advice remains apt for all ambiguous situations in life: to do everything for the greater glory of God.
Today’s First Reading from 1 Peter has a similar exhortation, though this time in the context of using our gifts for service. St Peter reminds us, “Each one of you has received a special grace, so, like good stewards responsible for all these different graces of God, put yourselves at the service of others.” Regardless of the graces and charisms we have received, we must never forget that we are only stewards. God has blessed us with gifts – whether personal or material – so that we can bless others with what we have received. God never gives us gifts simply for ourselves, but for the service of others. Consequently, whenever we use the gifts for the service of our fellowmen, we are doing on behalf of God. This is why St Peter wrote, “If you are a speaker, speak in words which seem to come from God; if you are a helper, help as though every action was done at God’s orders.”
What is important for us to note is that in whatever we do, whatever decisions we make, the underpinning principle St Peter reminds us of is this: “in everything God may receive the glory, through Jesus Christ, since to him alone belong all glory and power for ever and ever. Amen.” St Peter and St Paul have both given us a foundational principle for our actions, especially in ambiguous situations where we need to make a choice that is less than ideal. In such situations, we should make a pragmatic judgement – not in terms of whether it is for our good or glory, but rather, focusing on what will bring greater glory to God. In other words, we seek the best possible way, within our limitations and constraints, to do the right thing for the greater good of our fellowmen and for the greater glory of God, rather than for own personal self-interests.
When we put God above all things and considerations in what we do, we will know how to act in every situation. We do not have to study moral theology to know what is the right thing to do; if we can praise God sincerely in the depths of our hearts for what we do, then we know it is right. Conversely, if we cannot truly glorify God in what we do, it is likely that they are done for ourselves rather than for God’s interests, or the good of our fellowmen. When the scribe asked Jesus, which was the greatest commandment, Jesus answered with two, “The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mk 12:29-31)
This is the litmus test in doing the right thing. Such an action might cause us to suffer, to be misunderstood, to be criticised and condemned by others. This is why St Peter added: “My dear people, you must not think it unaccountable that you should be tested by fire. There is nothing extraordinary in what has happened to you. If you can have some share in the sufferings of Christ, be glad, because you will enjoy a much greater gladness when his glory is revealed.” When we put ourselves at the service of God and for His greater glory, we may have to suffer; this is always the price of being available for God’s service. Yet we know that we do not suffer in vain, but for the greater good – not just for the greater glory of God but also for the salvation of our fellowmen. The thought of offering ourselves for the salvation of others and for God’s greater glory should spur and motivate us to do our utmost.
For this reason, the Gospel warns us of the consequences of failing to respond to the grace God has given us. Modern reading of the Gospel often fail to focus on the real lesson Jesus seeks to teach us, largely because some do not understand the symbolism behind the text. The cursing of the fig tree was meant to be a symbolic action to convey a powerful message; the cursing of the fig tree is a sign of God’s judgement on the fruitless people. Just like the fig tree, Israel was not bearing the fruit God had intended for the people. Because they bore no fruit, they soon withered away. Truly, this is the consequence for us as well: fruitlessness can ultimately cause us to lose Jesus.
Between the cursing and the withering of the fig tree, Jesus performed the act of driving out the merchants from the Temple. “He upset the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those who were selling pigeons. Nor would he allow anyone to carry anything through the Temple. And he taught them and said, ‘Does not scriptures say: My house will be called a house of prayer for all the peoples? But you have turned it into a robber’s den.'” What was their wrongdoing? Temple worship is intended for the worship of God and for His glory; instead, the merchants abused the practice of worship, using the occasion to conduct unscrupulous business. There was cheating and dishonesty, forcing the poor to pay more than was required for their sacrifices. There was no real love for God, no true devotion, and no care for their fellowmen. Jesus made it clear that our relationship with God is not only vertical and ritualistic, but fundamentally ethical as well. As God said through the prophet Hosea, “For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.” (Hos 6:6)
Jesus’ act of cleansing the Temple was a denunciation of the abuses within the religious institution. Such religious corruption also exists in our day and can also be seen in the world of politics. We need to examine the fruits of our leaders to assess whether they are corrupt – concerned only with their own interests, careers, popularity, privileges, enjoyment and pleasure – or whether they are truly at the service of the people, without fear or favour. Any religion that obstructs people from having access to God works against God’s glory. Some of our organisations and institutions are rotten to the core despite wearing an aura of holiness. It is ironic that many in the spheres of religion and politics may bear leaves, yet most do not produce fruit.
Yet, our Lord is not indifferent to our weaknesses and the lack of courage. He knows that we are weak. This is why, when Peter pointed out the tree to Jesus the next morning, saying, “the fig tree you cursed has withered away.” The reality is that anyone who fails to appreciate the gifts of God and use them for the good of others will suffer emptiness in life; he will be like the fig tree that withers and dies. If we find ourselves to be that barren fig tree or the fruitless leader, we must pray deeply – going beyond mere external rituals, futile sacrifices, and routine worship. We need to spend time in prayer.
Jesus answered Peter, “Have faith in God. I tell you solemnly, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Get up and throw yourself into the sea,’ with no hesitation in his heart but believing that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. I tell you therefore: everything you ask and pray for, believe that you have it already, and it will be yours.” We need to believe in the power of prayer. And ensure our churches remain true places of prayer. Ultimately, we must be a praying people. The power to change and the power to transform our lives and the lives of others come from prayer.
In the final analysis, even if the fig tree was cursed and then withered, it can still rise again anew. God only wants us to repent. He does not seek to destroy us. Hence, the Lord underscored that, above all, in prayer, we must ask for the gift of forgiveness. “And when you stand in prayer, forgive whatever you have against anybody, so that your Father in heaven may forgive your failings too. But if you do not forgive, your Father in heaven will not forgive your failings either.” In spite of our human frailty and sinfulness, God always forgives, and we must cling to His forgiveness every time we fail to give Him glory in what we say and do. He is ever ready to forgive us so that we, too, can forgive others, and so truly reflect the glory of God’s love and life in us as we “Proclaim to the nations: ‘God is king.'”
Best Practices for Using the Daily Scripture Reflections
- Encounter God through the spirit of prayer and the scripture by reflecting and praying the Word of God daily. The purpose is to bring you to prayer and to a deeper union with the Lord on the level of the heart.
- Daily reflections when archived will lead many to accumulate all the reflections of the week and pray in one sitting. This will compromise your capacity to enter deeply into the Word of God, as the tendency is to read for knowledge rather than a prayerful reading of the Word for the purpose of developing a personal and affective relationship with the Lord.
- It is more important to pray deeply, not read widely. The current reflections of the day would be more than sufficient for anyone who wants to pray deeply and be led into an intimacy with the Lord.
Note: You may share this reflection with someone. However, please note that reflections are not archived online nor will they be available via email request.
Written by His Eminence, Cardinal William SC Goh, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Singapore © All Rights Reserved.
