Tuesday of week 6 in Ordinary Time
Gospel – Mark 8:14-21
“‘Keep your eyes open; be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod.’ And they said to one another, ‘It is because we have no bread.’”. Jesus here is warning against our possibility of becoming hypocrites. The yeast of Pharisees is the multiplication of acts which does not have any meaning. But the disciples misunderstood it. They thought Jesus is referring to the bread. Even though Jesus multiplied the bread, they forgot about it and misunderstood the message of Jesus about the danger of the yeast of hypocrisy. Jesus is cautioning against adopting the hypocritical and superficial practices of the Pharisees. The Pharisees were known for their strict adherence to the letter of the law, often missing the spirit of the law. They focused on external rituals and practices, neglecting the more important aspects of faith such as justice, mercy, and faithfulness. Jesus criticizes this approach and calls for a faith that is genuine and rooted in love rather than one that is performative or for show. The disciples often take Jesus’ metaphors and teachings at face value, missing the deeper spiritual significance. This misunderstanding serves as a reminder of the human tendency to focus on the material and immediate concerns over the spiritual and eternal truths. Let’s reflect: We must not focus on on material needs or concerns, but we prioritize the importance of spiritual growth and understanding.
Tuesday 13 February
