Different Conversations

Greetings on this the Tuesday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: Jas 1:12-18; Ps 94:12-13a, 14-15, 18-19; Mk 8:14-21

Notes

Ever struggle with two different conversations at the same time with the same person? The disciples were thinking and talking about one thing. Jesus was thinking and talking about something else.

1. The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, and they had only one loaf with them in the boat.
2. Jesus enjoined them, “Watch out, guard against the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.”
3. They concluded among themselves that it was because they had no bread.
4. “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.

Summary

In our readings today the disciples were concerned about what they did or did not do. They were concerned about whether they brought enough food for them to eat on their journey. They were focused on themselves, about themselves and provisioning for themselves.

Jesus replied, “What’s up with that?” (modern paraphrase).

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?”

The Church selected the letter of James to provide some additional guidance and redirection: all good giving and every perfect gift is from above. He willed to give us birth by the word of truth.

Reflection

The importance of Jesus’ message was partly hidden by the focus on the belly. The disciples could not get their mind off their stomachs. Jesus wants them to keep their mind on the word of God. Jesus enjoined them, “Watch out, guard against the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.”

Jesus dispatches the stomach worries with the examples of the feeding of the 5,000 and feeding of the 4,000.

Watch out, guard against the leaven – corrupt leaven. That is the problem.

Do you not know that a little yeast leavens all the dough? Clear out the old yeast, so that you may become a fresh batch of dough, inasmuch as you are unleavened. For our paschal lamb, Christ, has been sacrificed. Therefore let us celebrate the feast, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth (1 COR 5:6-8).

Personal Reflection

Tomorrow begins Lent with the liturgy of Ash Wednesday. Always excited this time of year. Lent is so many important things and among the important things is having the right conversation. Not the one focused on our bellies. Paradoxically, Ash Wednesday is a day of fasting and abstinence. There are many ways to benefit from the practice.

Here is the one benefit we must focus on. And also the deeper meaning: the belly worry of the disciples is exactly the same as the thinking of the Pharisees differing only by degree. If left to ferment, it would become identical to the Pharisees in type and degree.

Watch out, guard against the leaven – corrupt leaven that calls for your attention. Not the belly, the heart.

Enter the conversation Jesus wants to have:

1. Remember the 5,000 and the 4,000.
2. Be careful about who you listen to and what practices you follow.

May your lenten journey resolve the real conversation:

1. Why do you conclude that it is because you have no bread? Don’t measure love by measuring your production.
2. Do you not yet understand or comprehend? Contemplate the word of God.
3. Are your hearts hardened? Desire to listen to the voice of God.
4. Do you have eyes and not see, ears and not hear? What brings rebellion into your heart?

May you have a good Lent!

First Reading

Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers and sisters: all good giving and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no alteration or shadow caused by change. He willed to give us birth by the word of truth that we may be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

Responsorial

Blessed the man you instruct, O Lord.

Blessed the man whom you instruct, O LORD,
whom by your law you teach,
Giving him rest from evil days.

Gospel Acclamation

Whoever loves me will keep my word, says the Lord; and my Father will love him and we will come to him.

Gospel

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?”

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry