Friday 1 June

St Justin

1 Peter 4: 7-13, Psalm 96, Mark 11: 11-26

Failure to give

Mark has put together the stories of the temple money-changers and the barren fig tree.

This emphasises a message about selfishness. It was usual for the temple to have money-changers, but these greedy men were short-changing people. The fig tree without fruit underlines the teaching that living for self alone withers us spiritually.

I’m aware of two movements in me, one selfish and one selfless. All gifts come from God. How is my giving to self, balanced with giving to others?