February 14, 2011. Homily, February 15, 2011.

Mark 8, 14-21

The Disciples had forgotten to bring bread, and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. Jesus explained to them, "Watch out, guard against the leaven of the Pharisees, and the leaven of Herod." They concluded amongst 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 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?"

The Gospel of the Lord.

Mardi Gra [Fat Tuesday].

Our God is a jealous god.

"Do you still not understand?" What does that mean? The homilies on this Gospel do not explain. Perhaps we can explain for ourselves.

Jesus said, Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, Beware of the leaven of Herod. Jesus is saying, Beware of dependency upon others than the Lord. Do you have eyes to see and not see, ears to hear and not hear? You have been traveling with Jesus and seen His acts, how He cares for His disciples and even for all who follow Him. Having seen His acts, believe in Him.

The "Twelve" is when Jesus fed the 5,000, the Israelites. The "Seven" is when Jesus fed the 4000, the Gentiles. Our help is in the hand of the Lord. Jesus is telling the disciples to depend on Him, who feeds both the Jews and the Gentiles, who in fact feeds the whole world who believes in Him.

Do you allow anxiety or fear to keep you from trusting in God's provision for your life? How easy it is to forget what God has already done for us and to doubt what he promises to do as well. Jesus warned his disciples to avoid the way of the Pharisees and of Herod who sought their own counsels rather than the will of God. As the apostles continued to worry about their lack of bread, Jesus reminded them of his miraculous provision of bread in the feeding of the four thousand. He then upbraided them for their lack of trust in God. Do you not yet understand? It's easy to get preoccupied with the problems and needs of the present moment and to forget the most important reality of all -- God's abiding presence with us and his abundant provision for our lives as well. Do you pray with joyful confidence, Father, give us this day our daily bread?