Tuesday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time

 Lectionary: 336

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.

 T oday's gospel describes the misunderstanding we have come to expect of the Lord's disciples. They're discussing the problem -- some might call it a crisis -- of their having no bread while they cross the Sea of Galilee. And he cryptically suggests something about the leaven of the Pharisees and of Herod. 

Given the ideological polarities of our time, when one's choice of wheat or white bread might be regarded with suspicion, we can wonder if first century Palestinian bakeries issued Herodian and Pharisaic bread. Jesus might then suggest having nothing to do with either, as many decide to vote neither Republican or Democrat. 

"With all due respect, Sir," someone might have said, "we weren't discussing politics. We were asking which idiot among us failed to provide food for this crossing." 

But apparently Jesus referenced his recent display of God's Providence, when he provided food for four thousand from seven small loaves of bread. And to something even more mysterious. 

But that, of course, also went right over their heads -- Zing!둫𒂃

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?

When he reminds them of the two separate incidents of feeding a crowd with a little bit of food -- Mark is the only Evangelists who tells both stories -- and they still have no clue, he challenges them, “Do you still not understand?”

He acts like that of the teacher who refuses to answer a student's question because the student is perfectly capable of discovering the answer. Or the Zen master who confronts their student with indecipherable koans. Many Catholics today, trained as we are with ready answers from the catechism, might raise both hands and say, "Oo! Oo! Call me sir! I know! I know! You're the Bread of Life!" 

At which the Master might yet again say, "Do you not yet understand or comprehend?"  

Do we accept the salvation of those who eat the flesh of the crucified and drink his blood as it flows down the wood? And what that means to the Lord? And to ourselves? 

We begin with this hunger as we cross the Sea of Galilee, and step away from the quarrels of red, blue, green, and rainbow parties. They claim the truth but ignore the Gospel. 

We must find the Bread that is right here in the boat.