The Holy Martyrs Hermylus and Stratonicus. Post-feast of Theophany.
James 3:1-10; Mark 11:11-23.
Read Mark 11:11-23
St. Peter was amazed when seeing that the fig tree which Jesus cursed had withered. Jesus then said to them, “Have faith in God. Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him” (Mk. 11:22-23). Throughout Jesus’s ministry, He worked countless miracles. He healed people according to their faith. Recall the woman who suffered from a flow of blood for twelve years (see Mk. 5:25-34). She spent all of her money going to doctors for healing, but her condition only got worse and worse. She had the idea to go to Jesus, saying, “If I touch even His garments, I shall be made well” (Mk. 5:28). She entered into a crowd of people surrounding Jesus and touched His garments. Jesus perceived that power had gone forth from Him, and so He immediately asked who touched Him, even though there was an entire crowd of people pressing against Him. Trembling, the woman revealed herself, and Jesus said to her: “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease” (Mk. 5:34).
Although Peter was amazed by the withering of the fruitless fig tree, by faith, much greater things can be accomplished. Illnesses can be healed; mountains can be moved. In this post-feast of the Feast of Theophany, we continue to reflect on Jesus’s baptism in the Jordan River. John the Baptist preached repentance: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Mt. 3:2). When we hear the word “repent,” generally our minds are drawn to imagining shaming and scolding people for their actions. However, the word “to repent” comes from the Greek word metanoia which means “changing one’s mind.” We are all called to “change our minds.” Think differently! Think like a Christian! Let us repent from our former ways of thinking and instead choose to change our minds. Let us choose to be men and women of faith who believe that with God, all things are possible. Let our faith breed hope in our lives and in the lives of those around us.