Reflections on today's Gospel:
Mark 8:14-21 (RSVCE)
14 Now they had forgotten to bring bread; and they had only one loaf with them in the boat.
The Disciples, someone, screwed up and forgot something. They should have been perfect already...wasn't this why they were chosen? Who took the blame? Don't you sometimes feel like you should have things pretty well figured out by now?
15 And he cautioned them, saying, “Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.”
What arose in them that Jesus "detected?" Was He knowing that they were having second thoughts about following this rogue Rabbi, yet again, into the boat and across the sea? Do you ever experience doubts about Jesus?
16 And they discussed it with one another, saying, “We have no bread.”
Always concerned about food, the earthly view of things...isn't this you? Don't you look first to the things of earth instead of the real concerns of heaven?
17 And being aware of it, Jesus said to them, “Why do you discuss the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened?
Do you not see, here, Jesus is speaking to you about your life? Your heart? Do you not see that you have been called to something greater that you are missing because your mind is so often tied up with earthly concerns? Do you not yet have faith?
18 Having eyes do you not see, and having ears do you not hear? And do you not remember?
What might Our Lord be asking you to remember about Him? Also, about His faithfulness to you throughout your own life? Do you look to the problems or to Him as your solution?
19 When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” They said to him, “Twelve.”
What is Jesus teaching you about the events of your life and how He has been speaking to you through every moment in the mundane and seemingly "meaningless" events of your days?
20 “And the seven for the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” And they said to him, “Seven.”
When Jesus looks at you He sees not only a missionary being trained and "sent" but He sees a child of God! You've been asked to "take up these broken pieces" and to see and understand.
21 And he said to them, “Do you not yet understand?”
What does it mean to understand? You are a child of God...called according to His will and His purpose to be blessed beyond the realms of this world. He calls you to place your trust in Him and not in the fabulous "formulations" of the Pharisees. See that, as a child, you have every right to call upon your Father, to eat your fill of heavenly bread, and to know at all times what it means to be drawn in to the very heart of God.
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