Gospel – February 18, 2020 – 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?”
First thing to grab my attention today is that the Apostles are concerned they didn’t bring bread. Are you kidding me? No wonder Jesus is a bit perturbed. He fed 9,000 Jews and Gentiles with 12 loaves of bread.
Do they really think that he couldn’t take care of 12? They are worrying about earthly things while God is in their midst. The one who fed the Jews in the desert with manna.
He warns them of being fooled by what the Pharisees and Herod are preparing – leaven transforms the bread and makes it more palatable but it hides a rottenness inside – fermentation. More appealing but in reality there is death.
At least that’s what I heard Him say…
What I Heard Him Say 