JAMES 1:12-18

Blessed is he who perseveres in temptation, for when he has been proven he will receive the crown of life that he promised to those who love him. No one experiencing temptation should say, "I am being tempted by God"; for God is not subject to temptation to evil, and he himself tempts no one. Rather, each person is tempted when lured and enticed by his desire. Then desire conceives and brings forth sin, and when sin reaches maturity it gives birth to death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers and sisters: all good giving and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no alteration or shadow caused by change. He willed to give us birth by the word of truth that we may be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

MARK 8:14-21

The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. Jesus enjoined them, "Watch out, guard against the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod." They concluded among themselves that it was because they had no bread. When he became aware of this he said to them, "Why do you conclude that it is because you have no bread? Do you not yet understand or comprehend? Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes and not see, ears and not hear? And do you not remember, when I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many wicker baskets full of fragments you picked up?" They answered him, "Twelve." "When I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many full baskets of fragments did you pick up?" They answered him, "Seven." He said to them, "Do you still not understand?"

James, in today’s first reading, discusses events and feelings within us over which we have no immediate control. We are not complete masters in our own house. James locates the source of sin a in a primal disorder that we all carry around. The stab of jealousy, the increase of hatred or the darker passions that surge from somewhere within us can be triggered by almost anything. Left unguarded, such isolated sentiments have their own momentum.

But the Word of God is also implanted within us with its own life-cycle. Emotions of forgiveness or concern also form a frame of mind that can concretize itself into good habits and spiritual strength. The arena of conflict is within ourselves.

In the Gospel, Jesus warns his disciples against being infected by the skepticism and cynicism of the Pharisees who had turned religion into a game. He uses the disciples’ physical hunger to speak of a deeper spiritual hunger that can be satisfied by the Eucharist. The Eucharistic celebration that gives us spiritual nourishment is more than the mere reception of Holy Communion. All these different parts of the Mass put together form one single movement that provides the strength we need for our spiritual journey.

The faithful celebration of the Eucharist works its own miracle in our lives. The miracle of conversion is the gradual turning from death to a life that is deathless.

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Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our prayers and for those who need our prayers the most.

Have a good day!

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