Bold Faith or Presumptuous Arrogance?
- davidwperk
- Feb 19
- 6 min read
Devotional Reflection, Tuesday, February 18, 2025
The week of the sixth Sunday after the Epiphany
The Rev. David W. Perkins, Th.D.
Key phrases for reflection from today’s Gospel:
12 On the following day, when they came from Bethany, he was hungry. 13Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to see whether perhaps he would find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. 14He said to it, ‘May no one ever eat fruit from you again.’ And his disciples heard it.
. . . . .
20 In the morning as they passed by, they saw the fig tree withered away to its roots. 21Then Peter remembered and said to him, ‘Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered.’ 22Jesus answered them, ‘Have* faith in God. 23Truly I tell you, if you say to this mountain, “Be taken up and thrown into the sea”, and if you do not doubt in your heart, but believe that what you say will come to pass, it will be done for you. 24So I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received* it, and it will be yours.
25 ‘Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone; so that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.’*
You will find the full text of today’s Gospel reading at the end of this reflection.
Daily Office Lectionary Readings (BCP, 948)
AM Psalm 97, 99, [100]; PM Psalm 94,
Isa. 63:7-14; 1 Tim. 1:18-2:8; Mark 11:12-26
Today we celebrate the Feast of Martin Luther (See below.)
David’s Reflections
Patrick Overton wrote of daring faith:
“When you walk to the edge of all the light you have
and take that first step into the darkness of the unknown,
you must believe that one of two things will happen:
There will be something solid for you to stand upon,
or, you will be taught how to fly.”+
Jesus had pronounced a curse on a barren fig tree (a symbol for the lifelessness Jesus saw in a corrupt religious establishment that exploited people in the Temple environs). The next day, Mark says, the fig tree was withered.
You and I might have thought Jesus presumptuous in that moment and would not have dared anything similar. We seldom dare such declarations of certainty about God’s activity now. And, we judge people who speak so daringly about what God will do as more than a little presumptuous and odd.
What strikes me first is Peter’s noticing. He did not fail to see the condition of the tree, and he remembered Jesus’ previous action and made the connection that Jesus’ daring words had caused the withering. How often do you and I fail to notice the withered fig trees, the evidences of God’s daring activity in and around us. We fail to notice and to make the connections to our faith and prayers and/or the faith and prayers of others.
What also strikes me is Jesus’ invitation to them to act in similarly daring ways. I’ve not cursed a fig tree; however, on a few occasions it has seemed appropriate to speak in such daring ways and claim by faith God’s powerful action in a particular moment. Oddly and surprisingly, God has responded.
Obviously, such daring faith is mission related. Jesus curses the fig tree and immediately cleanses the Temple for which the tree is a symbol. His act of cleansing is analogous to the cursing of the tree; the Temple system comes under judgment for its exploitation. (Jesus acts and speaks in ways similar to Jeremiah in his disdain for the abuse of the Temple. See Jeremiah 7 and 21.) We are not free to speak so daringly to claim personal blessings, etc. We exercise such daring only to further God’s mission in the world.
And we dare not expect God’s response to our daring faith and prayers if our relational life is ragged and characterized by ruptured relationships with others. The closing verses remind us that we must forgive others as a response to having been forgiven by God. To harbor unforgiveness blocks the flow of God’s love toward us and hinders our prayers.
So, when we reach the edge of all the light we have, do we believe that God will give us a solid place to stand and/or teach us to fly? It’s that kind of risk-taking, at God’s invitation, that brings the reality of God’s rule into our lives and empowers our missionary efforts in the world.
Collect of the Day, Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany
O God, the strength of all who put their trust in you: Mercifully accept our prayers; and because in our weakness we can do nothing good without you, give us the help of your grace, that in keeping your commandments we may please you both in will and deed; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (BCP, 236)
Today we celebrate the Feast of Martin Luther, pastor and reformer (died 18 February 1546 CE).
Collect of the Feast of Martin Luther
O God, our refuge and our strength, who raised up your servant Martin Luther to reform and renew your church in the light of your word: Defend and purify the church in our own day and grant that, through faith, we may boldly proclaim the riches of your grace, which you have made known in Jesus Christ our Savior, who, with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
A Collect for Peace
O God, the author of peace and lover of concord, to know you is eternal life and to serve you is perfect freedom: Defend us, your humble servants, in all assaults of our enemies; that we, surely trusting in your defense, may not fear the power of any adversaries; through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, 99)
Of the Departed
Eternal Lord God, you hold all souls in life: Give to your whole Church in paradise and on earth your light and your peace; and grant that we, following the good examples of those who have served you here and are now at rest, may at the last enter with them into your unending joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (BCP, 253)
A Prayer for Light
Grant us, Lord, the lamp of charity which never fails, that it may burn in us and shed its light on those around us, and that by its brightness we may have a vision of that holy City, where dwells the true and never-failing Light, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, 110)
A Collect for Mission
Almighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of your faithful people is governed and sanctified: Receive our supplications and prayers which we offer before you for all members of your holy Church, that in their vocation and ministry they may truly and devoutly serve you; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. (BCP, 100)
Daily Office Gospel, Mark 11:12-26
12 On the following day, when they came from Bethany, he was hungry. 13Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to see whether perhaps he would find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. 14He said to it, ‘May no one ever eat fruit from you again.’ And his disciples heard it.
15 Then they came to Jerusalem. And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who were selling and those who were buying in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the moneychangers and the seats of those who sold doves; 16and he would not allow anyone to carry anything through the temple. 17He was teaching and saying, ‘Is it not written,
“My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations”?
But you have made it a den of robbers.’
18And when the chief priests and the scribes heard it, they kept looking for a way to kill him; for they were afraid of him, because the whole crowd was spellbound by his teaching. 19And when evening came, Jesus and his disciples* went out of the city.
20 In the morning as they passed by, they saw the fig tree withered away to its roots. 21Then Peter remembered and said to him, ‘Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered.’ 22Jesus answered them, ‘Have* faith in God. 23Truly I tell you, if you say to this mountain, “Be taken up and thrown into the sea”, and if you do not doubt in your heart, but believe that what you say will come to pass, it will be done for you. 24So I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received* it, and it will be yours.
25 ‘Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone; so that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.’*
Daily Prayer Offices in The Book of Common Prayer
Morning Prayer, Rite 2, page 75, Book of Common Prayer
Noonday Prayer, p. 103, Book of Common Prayer
Order of Worship for Evening (Vespers), p. 109, Book of Common Prayer
Evening Prayer, Rite 2, page 115, Book of Common Prayer Compline (Night Prayer), Page 127, Book of Common Prayer
Devotionals, page 136, Book of Common Prayer
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