THE WORD BECAME FLESH

Tuesday of the sixth week in Ordinary Time, 2022

Jams 1:12-18

Ps 94

Mark 8:13-21

Beware of the leaven

Dear friends in Christ, can anyone live in the world without facing some trials and tribulations? Though we pray and have faith in the power of Jesus to save us, we have to face up to the daily struggles that even our faith itself attracts. No one can claim to have a strong faith until that faith has been tested in a way he did not anticipate. One who has not faced a battle before cannot boast of his courage. It is also important not to trivialize the faith by turning it into the sort of show the Pharisees were demanding.

Today’s first reading (James 1:12-18) explains in very clear terms that while we may undergo tests from God, God never tempts us. To tempt someone is to lead the person into the path of sin. A test however is necessary to be sure that the learner is maturing. “Blessed is the man who endures trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life which God has promised… Let no one say when he is tempted “I am tempted by God; for God cannot be tempted with evil and he tempts no one, but each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his desire.” A test of faith is therefore a necessity to prove our faithfulness. Our steadfastness in the time of temptation links us to the victory of Jesus over the tempter.

In today’s gospel (Mark 8:14-21) Jesus must have been very disappointed in the attitude of the Apostles to something so little as bread, that they were too worried about the fact that they forgot to take enough bread for the journey. He was talking to them on something serious, “Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisee and the leaven of Herod.” This leaven refers to the Pharisee’s wrong frame of mind as they asked for a sign from heaven. In the case of Herod, he was a despot who desired to witness a miracle not that he might change his way but to amuse himself. Everything for them was to trivialize the ministry of Jesus. The disciple must not think that the ministry of Jesus is to open a miracle center or showbiz. He, therefore, scolded them for not realizing that he can provide even with nothing in hand. Have you learned that lesson too?

Let us pray: O God, in your providence you give us life and joy. Give us the grace to hold firmly to what comes from you. Amen. 

+Remain blessed