Mk 8:14-21
Now the disciples had forgotten to bring any bread; and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. And he cautioned them, saying, “Watch out—beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod.” They said to one another, “It is because we have no bread.” And becoming aware of it, Jesus said to them, “Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes, and fail to see? Do you have ears, and fail to hear?
And do you not remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you collect?” They said to him, “Twelve.” “And the seven for the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you collect?” And they said to him, “Seven.” Then he said to them, “Do you not yet understand?”
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.
Looking Deeper
When Jesus asks at the end of today’s reading if the disciples still do not understand, we may feel some resonance with them as this passage is confusing. Why does Jesus find the number of baskets important and what does the leaven of the Pharisees and Herod refer to? Regardless of the intricacies of these points, it seems that Jesus and the disciples are talking about different things. The disciples remain firmly situated on the ground. Their concern is over the details of how much bread they have now. The practical day-to-day struggle is all they’re concerned with. This is worth their concern to some extent. However, Jesus is concerned about the deeper issues. Are we tempted by the leaven of the Pharisees and Herod, meaning the draw towards riches, honor, and pride? Or can we trust in God, without seeking signs, that all will be well? May we have faith that even if we don’t have enough bread Jesus will somehow still provide what we need.
—Alex Hale, SJ, is a Jesuit scholastic from the Midwest Province studying philosophy at Loyola University Chicago.
Prayer
Oh God, you satisfy our hungry hearts and thirsty souls with both food and light. May we rest ever more secure in the faith that you will never let us fall, even when it seems our worst fears are realized. We ask this through Jesus Christ our friend and Lord. Amen.
—Alex Hale, SJ