“Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”

I saw a video on YouTube wherein a vlogger narrated his family’s COVID story. In the video, he admitted that he does not pray. Maybe it was because he was already happy and never felt the need to pray. But when his mother got infected by the virus, the experience became a turning point for him. He saw how she was struggling from the disease especially when they were looking for a hospital. That was when he began to pray. Eventually, they found a hospital, his mother was admitted and now she is recovering.

In today’s Gospel, we are being asked to have faith in God. We can develop this trust with Him through prayer. St. Teresa of Avila said, “Prayer is a conversation with God.” When we continuously communicate with Him, we also develop a relationship with Him. It is the same with our family and friends. When we constantly talk to them, update them on what is happening with us, share with them our problems, frustrations, our achievements and joys, our relationship with them is deepened.

May the Lord grace us with strength to continuously trust in Him. As we know God more and ourselves in prayer, may we grow and deepen our relationship with Him.

By: Sem. Renz Marion C. Cunanan

Today’s Gospel

Mk 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.
He did not permit anyone to carry anything through the temple area.
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.”