Homily for Tuesday, Week 6 of Ordinary Time

Homily for Tuesday
Week 6 of Ordinary Time

Feb. 18, 2025
Mark 8: 14-21
Christian Brothers, St. Joseph’s Residence, N.R.

Christ Disputing with Pharisees
(James Tissot)

Jesus enjoined them, “Watch out, guard against the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod” (Mark 8: 15).

This little episode follows what we heard yesterday, when the Pharisees asked Jesus for “a sign from heaven to test him” (8:11).  Just before that in Mark, as well as in Matthew, was Jesus’ 2d multiplication of loaves.  Luke doesn’t report that 2d multiplication, but only he identifies the Pharisees’ “leaven” as hypocrisy (12:1).

We can agree with Luke.  The gospel accounts probably don’t give a fair understanding of the Pharisees as a matter of history, but it’s fair to say that they didn’t get along with Jesus.  He found them over-strict in their understanding and application of Torah and, some of them at least, not faithful to the Law’s true intent.  Thus yesterday they weren’t sincere in asking for a sign that would prove Jesus’ heavenly message; he’d been showing signs all over the place, some right in front of them.

No gospel says specifically what Herod’s leaven was.  But the evangelists tell us that he murdered John the Baptist, and according to Luke, Jesus called him a “fox” (13:32).  He’s been described as “idle, vicious, and extravagant.”[1]  We may interpret his leaven as selfishness and worldliness.

Jesus’ advice to guard against those 2 types of leaven remains valid.  There are still church types who are more concerned about external religion than genuine fidelity to the Lord, or who ignore the signs of the times in order to cling to old, familiar ways.  There are still politicians and others more concerned about power, pleasure, and glory than about being good shepherds or wise guides to humanity.

As Jesus continues speaking to his disciples, he pleads with them to discern the signs that they’ve witnessed.  Do they still not understand what they’ve seen and heard?  God takes care of his people.  God is with us.  Paying heed to him and to Jesus’ Good News is the substantial bread of life.

[1] Ronald Brownrigg, Who’s Who in the New Testament (NY: Wing Books, 1971), p. 137.