Summary: Jesus cautioned his disciples about the corrupting influence of the Pharisees and Herod, but they misunderstood, thinking he spoke of their lack of bread. Jesus challenged their understanding, reminding them of his miracles of feeding thousands with loaves, questioning their memory and comprehension. This exchange highlighted the need for insight beyond immediate physical concerns, pointing toward deeper spiritual awareness.
Gospel Acclamation: Whoever loves me will keep my word, says the Lord; and my Father will love him and we will come to him. (John 14:23)
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?”
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