Reading
Mark 8:14-21
14 The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, except for one loaf they had with them in the boat. 15 “Be careful,” Jesus warned them. “Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod.”
16 They discussed this with one another and said, “It is because we have no bread.”
17 Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked them: “Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened? 18 Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? And don’t you remember? 19 When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?”
“Twelve,” they replied.
20 “And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?”
They answered, “Seven.”
21 He said to them, “Do you still not understand?”
Meditation
Jesus got into the boat with his disciples to go from Dalmanuta to Bethsaida. He has just discussed with the Pharisees, who were asking him for a sign from heaven. The disciples have embarked forgetting to make provisions and they have only one loaf with them. Jesus, who is perhaps still thinking about what happened, exhorts them to beware "of the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod" (v. 15).
The disciples start arguing among themselves about not having bread. The Greek verb dielogízonto indicates a real dispute. They probably start blaming each other.
In the Bible, the symbol of leaven is used both to indicate positive influences (Mt 13:33) and, more frequently, negative ones. The "leaven" of the Pharisees includes their false teachings and their hypocritical behavior. Herod Antipas' "leaven" represents his immoral conduct. Pharisees and Herodians, although ideologically opposed, were united by the feeling of aversion towards Jesus.
The five questions Jesus asked the disciples are a warning for not having understood the meaning of his words by worrying about the material aspects, for which he can certainly provide. The disciples remember well the miracle of the five loaves multiplied by five thousand and that of the seven loaves multiplied by four thousand, but they did not understand its meaning. Perhaps they doubt that another miracle can be accomplished by having only one loaf. They would like "a supply" of loaves to feel at ease and forget Jesus' recommendation to travel without a purse or bag (Lk 10:4).
The disciples complain of having only one bread but do not realize that they have Jesus with them, the living bread which came down from heaven (Jn 6:51), which satisfies our hunger for meaning and happiness.
We must take care that our present concerns do not make us forget the benefits received from God, his solicitude for our bodily and spiritual needs; at the same time, we must make ourselves bread, like Jesus, for our neighbor, making up for his needs.
The life-giving presence of the good leaven of the Spirit does not slip on us in our days, but penetrate into the depths of our hearts and find us aware of the action of grace: "Bless the Lord, my soul, do not forget so many of his benefits" (Ps 102:2).
Prayer
O Lord, multiply your grace in us, so that we can grow in communion with you and in sharing your goods with our neighbor. Amen.
- Rev. Dr. Luca Vona
