6TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

They concluded among themselves . . .

A seasoned kayaker would know to make sure he has packed enough food and water for his journey. So why did the Twelve, most of whom were fishermen who made their living on the water, forget to pack food before they got into their boat? Perhaps the excitement of having just seen Jesus multiply the loaves and fishes overcame them. Or maybe they left in a hurry so that Jesus could return before dark.

If today’s Gospel (Mark 8:14-21) makes anything clear, it’s that following Jesus was both absorbing and puzzling at times. Even his most offhanded sayings could be mysterious and raise enough questions to keep the disciples preoccupied. Why, for instance, was Jesus talking about the “leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod” (Mark 8:15)? Perhaps he was using their forgotten provisions to make a point.

Whatever the case, while the disciples’ focus was turned toward something immediate—lack of bread—Jesus wanted to share heavenly truth. On this day in that boat, he was cautioning them to be on guard against vain self-reliance, which can easily spread like leaven in bread. The opposite of this leaven, according to Jesus, is trusting in his Father’s power and provision, a habit that also spreads and grows. “Do you not remember, when I broke the five loaves for the five thousand?” he asked them (Mark 8:18-19).

When Jesus multiplied food for the crowds, he gave us the perfect example of confidently turning to God for his needs and the needs of the people around him. Jesus always kept his Father in mind, and his miracles were signs meant to strengthen the disciples’—and our own—faith in his Father. They were meant to teach us what it looks like when we place our faith in God.

We can’t fault the disciples for their forgetfulness, confusion, or their human thinking. Just like them, we’re all still learning and growing. But today’s Gospel (Mark 8:14-21) reminds us that the difference between our abilities and God’s power and love is far greater than we can imagine. God longs for us to place our trust and our understanding fully in him, as Jesus did.

“Father, multiply my faith in your providence just as you multiplied food for the crowds.”

Genesis 6:5-8; 7:1-5, 10
Psalm 29:1-4, 9-10
Mark 8:14-21

WORD AMONG US