Daily Catholic Lectio
Tue, 13 February 2024
Tuesday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
James 1:12-18. Mark 8:14-21
Do you not understand?
The gospel reading portrays Jesus’ helplessness and his disciples’ misunderstandings about him. Mark writes that the disciples had forgotten to carry along enough loaves in the boat. When Jesus warned them about the leaven of the Pharisees, their minds went back to the loaves that they had left at home.
The disciples were myopic in their faith vision; they were not able to see in Jesus, the Lord, who would provide them with loaves.
Jesus points out to them their four shortcomings: (a) ‘They did not understand or comprehend’ – They did not understand Jesus’ impactful presence with them; they failed to comprehend his miracles; (b) ‘Blunt hearts’ – in the Old Testament, the Lord God condemns the hard-heartedness of the people of Israel. The hard heart fails to believe in Jesus; the blunt heart becomes indifferent; (c) ‘Eyes not seeing, ears not hearing’ – they did not ‘see’ the miracles of Jesus; they did not ‘hear’ the preaching with their hearts; (d) ‘They did not remember’ – they forgot the two events of the multiplication of loaves.
Moreover, the disciples might have taken offence at Jesus’ humble background.
In the first reading, James, talking about the temptations, writes to his community that we are tempted on account of our evil inclinations.
He says that in God there is no alteration or shadow. The hearts of the disciples alter based on their circumstances and contexts.
As we are at the threshold of the Season of Lent, let us ask ourselves, ‘How do I perceive God?’
‘The greatest challenge to become the synodal church is our lack of understanding. We may not have a clear-cut definition of synodality, but we shall already begin to live its characteristics, such as listening, welcoming all, understanding, and celebrating differences,’ says Pope Francis. (cf. Jubilee A. D. 2025, bite 30)
Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi
Archdiocese of Madurai
Missionary of Mercy
Yesu Karunanidhi 
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