Many Legends

 

 Mark 8: 14-21

The Yeast of the Pharisees and Herod

¹⁴ The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, except for one loaf they had with them in the boat. ¹⁵ “Be careful,” Jesus warned them. “Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod.”

¹⁶ They discussed this with one another and said, “It is because we have no bread.”

¹⁷ Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked them: “Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened? ¹⁸ Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? And don’t you remember? ¹⁹ When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?”

“Twelve,” they replied.

²⁰ “And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?”

They answered, “Seven.”

²¹ He said to them, “Do you still not understand?

Today the church celebrates the Memorial of Saints Cyril and Methodius, two brothers who evangelized the Slavic peoples in what is now the Czech Republic, but the world, especially the United States, goes overboard with flowers and chocolates to honor spouses and loved ones in honor of St. Valentine. Who was St. Valentine?  There are many legends surrounding him, but because there is nothing substantial, other than that he was a bishop, he was removed from the liturgical calendar.  He certainly remains a solid fixture in the custom of honoring loved ones and friends with cards, chocolates, flowers and red hearts.  In this spirit, may we express our love in some way to those we love or with whom we work, remembering the Great Commandment, to love God above all and our neighbor as ourselves. Yes, it's all about love!

Bro. Rene