Todays’ reading is about faith and forgiveness. The two are connected in a marvelous, and unexpected way by our Lord.
He was answering the apostles, who were marvelling that a fig tree He had cursed had withered away. As is always the case, His answer was deeper than the question. He first adresses their faith, and tells them that they can have whatever they pray for if they have faith. This is important news, but what if a man does not have this kind of faith? Jesus answers this unasked question: a man must forgive others or he will not have faith.
Forgiveness of others is the conduit by which the grace of God passes to us. By our Lords own words, we see that without forgiveness, there is no faith. Do we make this connection? I think not, since we often find it so difficult to forgive.
Mark 11:23-26 23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. 24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. 25 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. 26 But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.
