Tuesday 13 February 2024

Today is Tuesday the 13th of February, in the sixth week of Ordinary time.

The community of Taizé sing Toi, tu nous aimes. “You love us, Lord, source of life.” As I listen, I remind myself that I am in the presence of God right now, that God is looking on me now with love.

Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Mark.

Mark 8:14-21

Now the disciples had forgotten to bring any bread; and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. And he cautioned them, saying, ‘Watch out—beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod.’ They said to one another, ‘It is because we have no bread.’ And becoming aware of it, Jesus said to them, ‘Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes, and fail to see? Do you have ears, and fail to 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 collect?’ They said to him, ‘Twelve.’ ‘And the seven for the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you collect?’ And they said to him, ‘Seven.’ Then he said to them, ‘Do you not yet understand?’

We can hear the note of frustration in Jesus’ words at the obtuseness of his disciples! His exasperation comes from the urgency he feels to get his message across. Is there some part of his message that you notice yourself habitually missing or forgetting? Why is that?

The disciples have forgotten the miracle of the loaves, or perhaps they never understood it. Jesus suggests that they are failing in trust. Negative experiences in our lives can make it hard for us to trust that God does act positively through all circumstances. What helps you to trust God in your life?

As we hear Jesus’ words once more, allow them to touch into your own experience. How do you find yourself wanting to respond?

Our life of faith is woven with positive and negative experiences that both strengthen and weaken our faith. Is God saying something particular to you about this here, and do you want to say something about it to God?

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.