Today's Gospel in Art - Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees

Daily (Loaf of Bread), by Matthew Hopkins © Matthew Hopkins Artist

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 16th February 2021 - Mark 8:14-21

The disciples had forgotten to take any food and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. Then he gave them this warning, 'Keep your eyes open; be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod.' And they said to one another, 'It is because we have no bread.' And Jesus knew it, and he said to them, 'Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you not yet understand? Have you no perception? Are your minds closed? Have you eyes that do not see, ears that do not hear? Or do you not remember? When I broke the five loaves among the five thousand, how many baskets full of scraps did you collect?' They answered, 'Twelve.' 'And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many baskets full of scraps did you collect?' And they answered, 'Seven.' Then he said to them, 'Are you still without perception?'

Reflection on the Painting

In today's reading we see how at times Jesus and His disciples were on completely different wavelengths of thought. His disciples were only focused on having their hunger satisfied, whilst Jesus gets annoyed at their self-focus. He fires nine questions at them in this short passage!

Jesus warns His disciples: 'Watch out; beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod'. Jesus tells them that they need to watch out for the teachings of the Pharisees and discern what effect the Pharisees are having on them. Leaven is a raising agent; it is uncooked dough which contains some live yeast. When it is added to fresh flour and water, it is mixed and makes for new dough. Leaven becomes one with the dough. Leaven is what will determine how much the bread will rise and what loaf it will become. It makes the dough rise to its full potential. When we receive false teachings (such as the leaven of the Pharisees), they act like bad yeast and affect how we will develop and grow. Jesus advises caution about who we listen to…

American still life painter Matthew Hopkins painted this loaf of bread. It has risen beautifully because of the good leaven, it looks splendid. Against the simple white backdrop, the loaf is capturing the light beautifully… a humble yet sumptuous loaf of bread.

LINKS

Today's story - https://christian.art/en/daily-gospel-reading/703
Christian Art - www.christian.art/index.php