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 fussing at the disciples because of their inability to see what is right before them and to hear the voice of God. It’s like he’s saying, “Come on guys, don’t you know who I am? Do you not understand that I am the bread of life; the manna from heaven?  I am the abundant food of life.  Were you not there when I did all these things?” Jesus says that he has provided everything they need, why do you not see this? The disciples are worried because 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. The  disciples should not worry because Christ is there to take care of them. This is the same message we should receive today. God provides everything we need in abundance. 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; the bread from within and the bread from outside.  He tells them, “Watch out, guard against the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.” He is warning us of false prophets who lead us astray with bad teaching and He warns us of those who are outside our faith who tell us our faith is wrong.  The Pharisees were too legalistic and did not understand the true meaning of the commandments.  They obeyed the law, but only out of obligation and not out of love.  Their commitment was contrived for fear of becoming unclean instead of the fear of separation from God.  The bread of Herod is one of hatred and repression.  Herod was dominating and all about Herod and not the wellbeing of others. Both forms of bread are destructive to the soul.  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.  When we give, we feed others.  It is a chance for us to share the graces we have been given with others.  This is the bread that is abundant and ever living.

 

Over the next couple of weeks, our eyes should become focused on the pending season of Lent. During this season, we are called to empty ourselves of those things that cause us to sin and separate ourselves from God.  We are called to fast from the leaven of Herod and of the Pharisees and to seek the leaven of our Lord.  Were are called to clear our cabinets of the bread which does not fulfill, but weights us down.  Take this next two weeks to inventory your heart so you can hear the Word of God.

 

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