Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint 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?”
Do you still not understand?
1. Guard against. Jesus teaches us that He doesn’t want us to be “customs agents” or “gatekeepers” of faith, deciding who’s in and who’s out. We cannot continue being a Church that excludes. Instead, He asks us to be approachable and welcoming—to walk alongside those who are suffering, hurting, or burdened by life. He reminds us that the Church is meant to be a family for everyone. Jesus gave His life out of love for you, me, and all people. Today, we are called to keep striving for this: seeking out our brothers and sisters and making them feel part of our Church, part of our family. We’ve already turned away too many. Let’s stop pushing people away and ignoring them.
2. Our concern. Today, I encourage you to look back over your past and remember the times God’s presence was evident in your life. Stop worrying so much and place your trust in God always, even when you make mistakes. Surrender yourself to God and entrust everything to Him. God wants to remind you that your life has been touched by miracles, and He continues to walk with you. You are not alone; He is with you, protecting, guiding, and inspiring you.
3. In life. Today we are reminded that worries can leave a lasting impression on us, sometimes leading us down tough roads and causing us to lose our direction. Life is made up of joyful times and difficult ones. The important thing is to keep moving forward and to persevere. God will help you, but you must allow Him space in your life to do His work. Remember all the obstacles He has helped you to overcome. Don’t be afraid, because to succeed, you must be willing to take risks. But consider: what are you risking, and what are you doing it for?
Don’t forget that something good is on the way!
God bless you and be with you in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
