Tuesday of the
Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
(James 1:12-18; Mark 8:14-21)
A short story tells of a couple who church hopped. They began as members of a Methodist
church. As their social status increased,
they joined the Episcopal Church. By the
end of the story they weren’t going to church at all. In one sense the couple is like the disciples
in the Gospel of Mark. They do not
understand the meaning of knowing Jesus.
Although the disciples eagerly answered Jesus’ call, they
cannot grasp what he teaches them. Jesus
has shown that God provides for those who trust is in Him. Yet they worry about bread when Jesus, God’s anointed
son, accompanies them. The couple of the
story find Christ aiding their upward social mobility. Although their motive is not apparent here, the
disciples see him as their ticket to fame and fortune. For this reason Jesus warns them about become
inflated like leaven in dough.
We too must take care that we go to church for the right
reason. We believe that there we
encounter Jesus, our creator and redeemer.
He is the only one worthy of our full attention. Furthermore, following his way of humility
and love leads us to eternal life.
