Daily Mass Gospel Reflection- The Bread That Completes

Word on Fire Ministry ^ | 02.15.22 | Aux. Bishop R. Barron

[MurphsLaw]

Sixth Week in Ordinary Time

Mark 8:14-21

Friends, a few days ago, we read about Jesus’ multiplication of the loaves and fishes. Then in today’s Gospel, which takes place just a few verses later, the disciples ask again about bread. But Jesus turns their attention elsewhere.

He warns them about "the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod." What does he mean by this? He’s referring to the contagious and dangerous "food" offered by these leaders.
For example, the Pharisees knew the law of God but used it to oppress people rather than liberate them. They could point out, with great accuracy and articulation, the wicked things that people were doing, in order to bring those people down, to humiliate them.

Beware of that sort of food, Jesus suggests. Instead, seek the true bread of heaven, which multiplies grace upon grace.

[MurphsLaw]

+++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?”+++