Holy Week: Day Two

The second day of Holy Week, if we consider Palm Sunday the first, is marked by Jesus condemning a fig tree to fruitlessness and cleansing the Temple. In each event, Jesus’ teaching reinforces the importance and power of prayer.

DThe second day of Holy Week, if we consider Palm Sunday the first, is marked by Jesus condemning a fig tree to fruitlessness and cleansing the Temple. In each event, Jesus’ teaching reinforces the importance and power of prayer.

Dick Vitale, a colorful and boisterous ESPN sports commentator and former college basketball coach, names an annual “all airport team.” The team Coach Vitale names looks a like a winner in airport terminals, but frequently frustrates its fans with play well below the team’s potential. It is safe to say that no one wants to make the roster of that team.

After cursing the fig tree (Matthew 21:18-22; Mark 11:12-14,20-26) Jesus clearly taught that he expects his disciples to produce fruit. Many see the condemnation of religious establishment, temple professionals busily involved in everything religious, but having little power or product when alleviating human suffering. When the Twelve saw the tree cursed so suddenly, withered and dead, they were amazed. “How did this happen so quickly?” Jesus’ response was faith-building. In paraphrase, Jesus said, “Expect a lot more than this as you pray and believe!” He added some conditions to our attitude while praying which you may explore in the texts.

Jesus visited the Temple on this second day of Holy Week and drove out the flea market vendors a second time. The first time was early in his ministry (John 2:13-16) and the two explosive events when Jesus’ anger and impatience with religious abuse and misuse of the Temple serve as parentheses bracketing his ministry. The Lord emphatically states, “My house will be called a house of prayer.” One of Jesus’ first and last acts reinforce his instructions that we, his disciples, pray.

I hope that we all find houses of prayer this Holy Week, places where we gather to remember Jesus’ passion, are equipped with the knowledge of his will and perfected in prayer. No one would want to be a member of an “all church team,” a group which looks good in all things religious but underperforming in what Jesus expects, especially regarding prayer.

When I work, I work. When I pray, God works.