February 14, 2017

Gospel: Mk 8:14-21
The disciples had forgotten to bring more bread, and had only one loaf with them in the boat. Then Jesus warned them, “Keep your eyes open, and beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod.“ And they said to one another, “He saw that we have no bread.“
Aware of this, Jesus asked them, “Why are you talking about the loaves you are short of? Do you not see or understand? Are your minds closed? Have you eyes that don’t see and ears that don’t hear? And do you not remember when I broke the five loaves among five thousand? How many baskets full of leftovers did you collect?“ They answered, “Twelve.“ “And having distributed seven loaves to the four thousand, how many wicker baskets of leftovers did you collect?“ They answered, “Seven.“ Then Jesus said to them, “Do you still not understand?“

REFLECTION:
“Our God Saves“
The story of the flood tells us that the wickedness of man had become so widespread that God, who at creation saw that all that he had created “was very good“ had now become so corrupted as a result of the sin of man. Now Scripture tells us that God was so displeased that he was ready to destroy all of creation!
Once again, as in yesterday’s reading, God’s justice is immediately tempered by his mercy as He finds Noah and instructs him to build an ark so as to save all creation (the symbolic number 7) for a new order. Even as God punishes he also makes plans for restoration! Our God is a God who Saves, indeed! His mercy always shines out.
As we wish “Happy Valentine“ our loved ones today, it is good to remember that to say “I love you“ is also to say “I forgive you!“ Our God is a God of love!