In the Gospel, the disciples are panicking because they forgot to bring bread. Jesus, trying to teach them a deeper spiritual truth, warns t...
In the Gospel, the disciples are panicking because they forgot to bring bread. Jesus, trying to teach them a deeper spiritual truth, warns them: "Watch out, guard against the leaven of the Pharisees." The disciples, stuck in the material world, think He’s talking about literal bread. Jesus has to remind them of the thousands He recently fed. He is telling them: "Don't let the bitterness and cynicism of the world—the 'leaven' of the Pharisees—sour your heart."
James echoes this in the first reading. He warns us to Guard our hearts against the "leaven" of temptation. He clarifies that God does not tempt us; rather, we are lured by our own desires. God is the "Father of Lights," from whom every "perfect Gift" comes.
Today we honor the Seven Holy Founders of the Servite Order. These were seven wealthy merchants in Florence who, moved by a desire for holiness, left their businesses to live a life of poverty, prayer, and service to the Virgin Mary. They recognized that the "leaven" of their wealthy lifestyle was distracting them from God. They chose a life of Generosity and simplicity instead.
We all have "leaven" in our lives—small habits of gossip, pride, or worry that, if left unchecked, puff us up and ruin the whole batch. Today, ask the Seven Holy Founders to intercede for you, that you may have the courage to strip away the "leaven" of selfishness and focus on the "perfect gifts" that come from above.
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