Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

“Do you have eyes and not see, ears and not hear?”

 

Gospel Reading: 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?”

 

Jesus asks us a very simple question in today’s Gospel – “Do you have eyes and not see, ears and not hear?” Jesus is clearly fusing at the disciples because of their lack of faith. It’s like he’s saying, “Come on guys, don’t you remember all the miracles that I performed?” Do you not understand that I am the bread of life; I am the manna from heaven.  I am the abundant food of life.  It’s as if they weren’t even there. Jesus says that he has provided everything they need, why do you not see this? The disciples are worried that they only have one loaf of bread among them. Jesus reminds them about the feeding of the five thousand and then the feeding of the four thousand. After each feeding, there was an abundant supply of bread left over. Jesus tells the disciples that they should not worry that He will take care of them. This is the same message we should receive today. God provides everything we need. He is the true bread of life. We are called to put our trust in his hands and to believe in Him.  But Jesus also warns us about the bread that corrupts. He tells them, “Watch out, guard against the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.” Our daily bread is what truly nourishes us both our body and soul. If the bread does not nourish our souls but leads us to be greedy, we need to avoid that bread. What bread do you seek? Through our own greed, others have not. If we hoard the bread, others will not eat.  During Lent, we are call to fast and give alms.  When we give, we feed others.  Lent is an opportunity to feed the hungry and to help the poor.  It is a chance for us to share the graces we have been given with others.

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Lord Jesus, you are the bread of life.

Lead me to your table that I may be nourished in the sacramental body.

That your bread will fill me with the Holy Spirit and give me eternal life.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon