Holy Spirit of Jesus, help me be on my guard against the yeast of ungodliness ...

 
Mark 8:14-21
                                         
A miniscule amount of bad yeast goes a long way. It can ferment a whole pot of otherwise good food into an unpalatable or even poisonous substance, and if introduced into a human body, can produce a massive and tenacious infection. No doubt with this in mind, Jesus warns us to ‘be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and of Herod’, against adopting even one iota of the controlling and fastidious, religiosity of the Pharisees, or one cell of the self-centred, unjust and evil hedonism of Herod, both of which were devoid of God’s love and truth, the Pharisees from the ‘religious’ side of things and Herod from the ‘worldly’ perspective.  When I make a choice to say a couple of heartless ‘gimme’ prayers or criticize my neighbour’s lifestyle, I am introducing the yeast of the self-righteous Pharisees into my life. Similarly when I indulge one small craving for that which is not good, or respond to someone in need with ‘just’ five minutes of hard-hearted indifference, I am introducing the yeast of the self-centredness of Herod into my soul. Today, will I be on my guard against miniscule steps towards evil religiosity and the vanity of worldliness, and instead take firm steps into the mercy and truth of the Holy Spirit of God? Holy Spirit of Jesus, help me be on guard against the yeast of ungodliness. 
                                                                              
O that my people would listen to me, and walk (and talk) in my ways!   (Psalm 95:7)
 
Walk with your feet on earth, but in your heart  be in heaven.         
St. John Bosco 
 
www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca  & Gospel Mystery of the Day on Facebook
Soli ad gloriam Dei