DO NOT FORGET THESE INCIDENTS.
DO YOU STILL NOT UNDERSTAND?
"The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, and they had only one loaf with them in the boat.
"Jesus enjoined them, “Watch out, guard against the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.”
"They concluded among themselves that it was because they had no bread.
"When he became aware of this he said to them, “Why do you conclude that it is because you have no bread? Do you not yet understand or comprehend? Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes and not see, ears and not hear?
"And do you not remember, when I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many wicker baskets full of fragments you picked up?” They answered him, “Twelve.” “When I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many full baskets of fragments did you pick up?” They answered him, “Seven.” He said to them, “Do you still not understand?” (Mark 8: 14 - 21).
Tuesday 18th February 2025 in the 6th Week in Ordinary Time.
“Why do you conclude that it is because you have no bread? Do you not yet understand or comprehend? Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes and not see, ears and not hear? And do you not remember?...... “Do you still not understand?” (Mark 8: 17 - 18, 21).
We are grateful for this incident in Mark 8: 14 - 21, because Jesus used it as a teaching moment to coach us on the importance of understanding, remembering and having an open mind and heart if we are to grow in religious truth.
Why do we forget so often details of God's past mercies? I find personally that even when I write the favors in my journal, I still forget. I do better when I ask the Holy Spirit to remind me of the favors I have enjoyed from God.
"The Advocate, the holy Spirit that the Father will send in my name—he will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you." (John 14: 26).
This promise of Jesus is the ground for my hope when it comes to understanding and remembering the teachings of Jesus. How does this work? I ask the Holy Spirit to give me understanding and bring to my memory the wonderful things God has done for me.
I resolve never to forget "my ancient landmarks." (Cf Proverbs 22: 28). I keep a journal.
“Do you still not understand?” (Mark 8: 21)
Consider carefully the above question of Jesus for us as we prepare to start Lent 2025.
"Do you not yet understand or comprehend? Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes and not see, ears and not hear? And do you not remember?..... “Do you still not understand?” (Mark 8: 17 - 18, 21).
"Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them." (John 13: 17)
Change happens not because of what you know but because of what you do daily.
FEBRUARY IS THE MONTH CONSECRATED TO THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH.
“Since God could choose for the Guardian of His Son,
the man in the world, the most accomplished
in all sorts of perfections,
according to the dignity
and excellence of his Charge,
Who was His most Glorious Son, the universal Prince of Heaven and earth, how could it be that being able,
He did not will it and did not do it?
There is, then, NO DOUBT that St Joseph was endowed with all the graces and all the gifts that were required
for the care which the Eternal Father willed to give him,
of the temporal and domestic economy of our Lord and of the guidance of his family … ”
(St Francis de Sales, Bishop and Doctor of the Church).
For Devotional prayer and prayer intentions to the Holy Family, click the link below:
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