Leaven of the Pharisees

February 16, 2021, Tuesday
Tuesday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time (Green)
FEAST OF THE MOST HOLY FACE OF JESUS
CYCLE B - YEAR I
RDGS: GN 6:5-8--7:1-5. 10/ PS 29:1. 2. 3-4. 9-10
GOSPEL: MK 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?”

GOSPEL REFLECTION:

The daily bread of which Jesus speaks is not for the stomach. I pray that my eyes may see, that my ears may hear, and that my memory be blessed to notice God's goodness and to receive the food God offers to me each day.

PRAYER:

Lord, break down the walls that press in on my small heart: let me believe that you are the Son of God, and that in company with you I truly live. Help me see that you yourself are the ‘bread’ which I need to stay alive. Help me to hang all my hope on you.