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Fermentation
Jesus’s disciples got into the boat. They forgot to bring bread – there was only one loaf.
Jesus ordered them: “Be on guard for the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod.”
The disciples discussed this behind Jesus’ back saying, He said this because we have no bread, and tried to blame each other for not packing enough bread.
Jesus perceived this and said, “Why are you talking about the fact that you don’t have any bread? Don’t you grasp what has happened? Don’t you understand? Are your hearts so resistant to what God is doing? Don’t you have eyes? Why can’t you see? Don’t you have ears? Why can’t you hear?
Don’t you remember? When I broke five loaves of bread for those five thousand people, how many baskets full of leftovers did you gather?” They answered, “Twelve.”
“And when I broke seven loaves of bread for those four thousand people, how many baskets full of leftovers did you gather?” “Seven,” they answered.
Jesus said to them, “Do you not yet understand?” Mark 8:14-21
(trans. mine)
Have you ever seen yeast at work? When my dad made bread, my brother and I would watch the yeast at work. Watching bread rise is almost like magic. Jesus used fermentation as an example of negative human behavior – and then pointed out how the disciples were fermenting negative thought patterns. Think of it this way: bad news ferments and travels faster than good news. Misunderstandings can ferment and harden the heart. Resentment can ferment into hate. Hate can ferment violence. Generalizing and stereotyping can stop unity and love from growing. The author Mark wrote that Jesus continually warned the disciples about this type of fermentation in their thinking and in their hearts.
This story appears at the half-way point of Mark’s Gospel. I wonder if Jesus is thinking about how these disciples were soon going to have to spread the Good News without him. Perhaps he thought, if they are laying blame over bread, are their hearts ready to spread the message of forgiveness and grace, love and unity!?
After taking a moment, Jesus reminded them that they watched bread multiply (like yeast) on two separate occasions. Yet they were worried they only had one loaf of bread. Fear of scarcity, it seems, can ferment quickly. They appeared to forget who they had in the boat with them. From time to time, especially in ministry, I let the fear of scarcity ferment in me. If this happens with you, here’s a prayer.
Lord Jesus, like the disciples in the boat, sometimes I forget my blessings and focus instead on my anxiety about my "one loaf". Guard my heart against the fermentation of legalism, pride, materialism, and fear that silently corrupts my faith. Lord Jesus, Bread of Life, I ask for the grace to remember all the good things you have done. When I am worried about material needs, remind me of your abundance. Help me to recall how you have provided for me before, and to trust that your grace is always enough. Amen.
- Fr. Dave
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