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Memorial of Saints Cyril, Monk, & Methodius, Bishop
James 1:12-18
Psalm 34:12-13A, 14-15, 18-19
Mark 8:14-21
Summary
Deep personal desires, cultural norms and traditions, and the politics in which we
engage sustain each of us daily; however, true abundance is only found at the
table of the Lord.
Reflection
In the past couple weeks, I have turned off the radio in the car, which I do a few
times a year when I need to quiet the chatter and distraction. It˅s my attempt to
listen not only to my own thoughts, but what may come to me by way of prayer
through the Spirit. Our daughter brought home the painting below a few days
ago from school, and it stopped me in my tracks. It symbolizes for me the mes-
sage of today˅s readings. Do not be tempted by what your ego wants and what
society demands. Strip the distractions away to the core ˀ love and truth ˀ
given freely by God, if we so choose it.
Jesus, flustered by the disciples˅ for-
getfulness, warns them to beware of
the ˈleaven of the Pharisees and the
leaven of Herod,ˉ which calls us to re-
sist dining with those that pull us from
the truth. He reminds them of how
many baskets of leftovers there were
after breaking five loaves for five thou-
sand. With whom are we choosing to
dine? Herod or the Lord? Do we seek
sustenance from the world or abun-