The Word God Spells

Mark 8: 14-21
Gn 6:5-8; 7:1-5.10 / Ps 29

Do you not yet understand or comprehend? Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes and not see, ears and not hear?
(Mark 8:17-18)

Take heed: avarice can multiply,
Just as leaven makes the bread increase;
Having more can never satisfy,
Greed is an incurable disease.

The apostles had forgotten to bring bread, and had only one loaf with them in the boat. Jesus cautioned them, saying, “Watch out; beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.” And they concluded that it was because of the fact that they had no bread. And Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why are you discussing the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Having eyes do you not see, and having ears do you not 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 take up?” They said to him, “Twelve.” “And the seven for the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” And they said to him, “Seven.” And he said to them, “Do you not yet understand?”

Reflection

Jesus said, “Watch out, guard against the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.” (Mk.8:15) Our Lord was warning His disciples against the teachings of the Pharisees and the bad influence of King Herod. Proud and boastful, all of them were full of hypocrisy and sin. Because of their political influence, they were leading the Jews away from the truth. But His disciples did not understand what He was telling them. Leaven is a fermented substance, like yeast, that is added to the mixture of flour to make the bread rise, or seem to increase. Leavened bread is not what it appears to be — it is hollow and light, and does not fully satisfy. Leaven, therefore, “influences” bread to become or appear to be what it is not.

In the advent of another electoral exercise, Jesus may well be telling us today to beware of the “leaven” of traditional politicians who seek to perpetuate themselves in power. Many will again be swayed by the sweet words of these false prophets whose promises foisted on the electorate are full of leaven — all hollow and self-serving. Like King Herod and the Pharisees, they have become callous to the suffering of the masses. But there is hope, if only we can help to educate the masses to vote more responsibly for qualified and upright candidates. Prayers too will help. Like the miracle of Edsa, the power of mass prayer can spell the difference in the victory of the righteous and true servants of the people in the coming elections.

Help us, Lord God, to trust in Your power to increase the little faith that we have to be able to counter the leaven of those who hold political power. Amen.