Theme: We need to spend time with ourselves in the presence of God on the mysteries of God especially in trials and temptations.
Scripture: Jas. 1:12-18; Ps. 93:12-15,18-19; Mk. 8:14-21
In the first chapter, St. James explained on the same topic of trials and temptation. He explains the rewards of those who stand firm in the trials. The one who remains firm, wins the prize of life and the crown in heaven. St. James uses language of beatitudes here. He picks up this thought from the beatitudes of Jesus, “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great.” (Mt. 5:11-12) While exhorting people, he also cautions that God of goodness and mercy never tempts people. Man is tempted by his own desires. The temptation springs from one’s heart. God never tempt us. St. James gives many reasons to prove it such as God is good, He is perfect, He is light and there is no darkness in Him. Above everything else, God has chosen us to be his own. St. James tries to explain to us that God’s goodness stands firm in our trials and temptations. What is needed for us? We need to spend more time with ourselves in the presence of God to understand the deeper meaning of trials and overcome temptations in our lives.
The disciples of Jesus were tempted to malign the good name of Jesus in the boat. They had seen Jesus feeding thousands of people. Yet when Jesus told them to be aware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Herod, they thought of physical hunger. Thus they misunderstood Jesus. Whereas Jesus referred to the yeast of the Pharisees and Herod fir their hypocrisy, insincerity and ill will towards Him. The yeast was seen by Jews as having corrupt influence (Gal. 5:9). The Jews removed all yeast from the house on the night of Passover when they escaped from Egypt (Ex. 12:14ff). The yeast of Pharisee and Herod had become the stumbling block to accept Him in their lives. It is the same that became the reason of Jesus’ suffering and death. The disciples did not understand Jesus’ saying because they were caught up with earthly things i.e. bread. It was foolishness to think of bread even in the scarcity because Jesus had already fed multitude with few fish and bread at two different occasions. Jesus reprimanded them. The verbs used in this passage show that the disciples were challenged to reflect deeply on the mysteries of God. They are namely; understand, comprehend, see, hear and remember. Once again there is a call to disciples to spend more time in understanding the deeper meaning of mysteries of God.
How much time do we spend in our trials and temptations to reflect on the goodness of God? Have we tried to understand, comprehend, see, hear and remember God’s goodness in our lives especially when we face trials and temptations? Let the Holy Eucharist help us to grow in God’s goodness.
Fr. Alex D’Mello
