15/02/2022

The words of Jesus are not always easy to understand. The Apostles in the boat with him misinterpreted "yeast of Herod, yeast of the Pharisees". They thought that it was real bread that was in their Rabi's mind. The rebuke makes it clear that this was certainly not so. The thing about yeast is that a very little can go a long way and prove many times it own weight of flour and water.  Prior to this verse, Mark had related how some Pharisees had asked for a sign. Is it this asking for proof that Jesus warns about? What is the yeast of Herod? Herod who killed John is recorded as liking to listen to John preach but being perplexed by him. Is this vague sort of interest in the things of God that we are warned about.

It seems that Jesus is telling his followers that he is doing enough to reveal to them that he is God; it is their perception that is faulty. God is forever with us and he can never change. Politicians can pass laws about marriage and sexual relationships. Meaningless laws that are the work of the tempter. Priests can seek to quibble in the cause of "mercy" and thus fail in their duties to bear witness to the unchangeable limits to our freedom as revealed by our unchangeable God.

The "Happy the man whom you teach O Lord" of the psalm makes clear that God rules for our good alone. We are free within creation but creation is not chaos nor are we wild things taking and doing what we want. Father Son and Holy Spirit are Love and it is towards eternal Love that we are led by laws that come from God no matter how attractive is the "Yeast of pharisees and of Herod". 

Dear Lord you know how my mind is confused and unable to clearly understand your teachings as recorded by your first disciples help me to hold onto the chain of knowledge that stretches back to you walking and talking on the roads of Palestine and know that your Love for each one of us never changes.