Enlightened Understanding: Seeing Beyond the Physical
February 13, 2024; Tuesday of Week 6
GOSPEL
Mark 8:14–21
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?”
Enlightened Understanding: Seeing Beyond the Physical
In today’s Gospel passage from the book of Mark, we witness an interaction between Jesus and His disciples regarding the leaven of the Pharisees and Herod. However, as we delve deeper into this interaction, we find a profound lesson about understanding and faith.
The disciples, concerned about their lack of bread, misunderstood Jesus’ warning about the leaven of the Pharisees and Herod. They thought He was referring to their physical provision, rather than the spiritual dangers of hypocrisy and worldly influence.
With compassion and patience, Jesus addresses their misunderstanding, asking if they truly understand and comprehend. He questions the condition of their hearts, their ability to perceive and listen, and their memory of past miracles.
Jesus reminds them of the miraculous feeding of the five thousand and the four thousand, where a few loaves multiplied to feed the multitude. He asks them how many baskets of fragments were left over, to which they respond twelve and seven, respectively.
Through this conversation, Jesus challenges His disciples to go beyond their physical concerns and to grasp the deeper spiritual truths He is revealing. He invites them to move from a mindset of scarcity to one of abundance, from a limited perspective to a broader understanding of His power and provision.
This passage holds valuable lessons for us today. How often do we, like the disciples, become preoccupied with our physical needs and fail to grasp the spiritual truths and teachings of Jesus? Are we allowing our hearts to be hardened, our vision to be clouded, and our memory of God’s faithfulness to fade?
Jesus invites us to have eyes that truly see, ears that truly hear, and hearts that are open and receptive to His teachings. He calls us to remember His past miracles and recognize that He is the source of abundant provision, both physically and spiritually.
Let us not be limited by our own understanding, but instead, let us trust in Jesus’ wisdom and guidance. May we seek to understand His teachings, allowing them to transform our hearts and minds. Let us remember His faithfulness and provision in our own lives and in the lives of those who have gone before us.
As we journey through life, may we strive to deepen our understanding of Jesus’ teachings and be open to the spiritual truths He reveals. May we have faith in His abundant provision, trusting that He will meet our physical and spiritual needs according to His perfect plan. Amen.
Reference: https://medium.com/@apellazar/enlightened-understanding-seeing-beyond-the-physical-de723a05bf5f
