GOSPEL POWER | FEBRUARY 16, 2021

TUESDAY | 6TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

Gospel: 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 Jesus 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?”

REFLECTION

I n today’s Gospel, the disciples’ mentality-of-scarcity clashes with Jesus’ mentality-of-abundance. The clash is occasioned by the disciples’ preoccupation with having forgotten to bring bread, except for a loaf. Such preoccupation with scarcity dulls their hearing of Jesus’ warning against the leaven of the Pharisees and of Herod. Jesus summons them to recall the two previous feeding episodes (cf. Mk 6:34-44 and 8:1-10), when they also allowed their mentality-of-scarcity to worry them about how to feed the hungry crowds. On those two occasions, Jesus overturned their worries by letting them and the crowds experience the dawning Kingdom of God as the household of the provident Father who supplies his children’s need in abundance. Preoccupation with scarcity implies doubting God’s providence. It must never be the disposition of those who belong to God’s Kingdom.

PRAYER

Lord Jesus, may we learn from you how to live in serenity and trust by casting all our cares on the Father who cares for us. Amen.