The Gospel according to Mark (8:14-21)
The disciples had forgotten to bring bread,
and they had only one loaf with them in the boat.
Jesus enjoined them, “Watch out,
guard against the leaven of the Pharisees
and the leaven of Herod.”
They concluded among themselves that
it was because they had no bread.
When he became aware of this he said to them,
“Why do you conclude that it is because you have no bread?
Do you not yet understand or comprehend?
Are your hearts hardened?
Do you have eyes and not see, ears and not hear?
And do you not remember,
when I broke the five loaves for the five thousand,
how many wicker baskets full of fragments you picked up?”
They answered him, “Twelve.”
“When I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand,
how many full baskets of fragments did you pick up?”
They answered him, “Seven.”
He said to them, “Do you still not understand?”
Reflection:
In a lot of ways, today’s Gospel – on this last day of Ordinary Time before we begin the season of Lent tomorrow – is very apropos for us as well. Mark, as is often the case, seems very hard on the Apostles, showing them as not understanding the richness of Jesus’ ministry, even though they are in the midst of it! It gives us a bit of an excuse for not being fully invested, I would say, for even if the chosen Twelve had doubts or places where they did not understand, then you and I can perhaps be forgiven if we doubt or feel like it just does not make sense!
I mean, a little before this scene on the sea, the Apostles were there when Jesus fed huge multitudes with only a handful of loaves. How could they doubt that Jesus could feed them with the one loaf (there were, after all, just the twelve of them there in the boat!)? When I apply this story to my own life, I know that I am often too slow to understand, and too slow to act confidently as a child of God and co-worker with our Lord! If you’re like me, maybe you need this coming season of Lent to refocus and ask God to help renew our spirits, that we may reach the celebration of Easter renewed and truly ready to work in the vineyard.
It’s also helpful to focus on the two types of “leaven” that Jesus warns against, too. The “leaven of the Pharisees” is a reminder not to focus solely on the rules and guidelines of this sacred season, seeing where we can show that we are “holier” and “more devout” than others we know. That’s what the Pharisees were often shown to be doing, and we don’t want to follow their example at all!
And, then there’s the “leaven of Herod”. That really emphasizes how we Catholics don’t follow the way of the world during this coming season – we deny ourselves, knowing that it makes us stronger in our faith, and better able to live it out. Others may focus solely on their own desires, their own needs, their own priorities above all others. That was the example of Herod, and Jesus knew that His disciples would not be following it, but instead would be called to live a life of selfless service of others. During the season of Lent, by denying ourselves, may we increase our own desire to live that selfless love better with those we love and those who are more difficult to love. Enjoy this last day before Lent, and be open to what God wants to grow in you in the coming weeks!
Action for the Day:
On this last day before Lent, quietly ask God to help you grow in new ways to be a confident bringer of love and peace to all you meet, starting with yourself!
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