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Gospel Reflection for Tuesday, February 18, 2025
Dear Friend,
God’s Word today invites us to be mindful of evil in all its forms—personal, social, and structural. Both the Book of Genesis and the Gospel warn us about this reality, which goes against God’s plan.
In the first reading, we hear:
«When the Lord saw how great the wickedness of human beings was on the earth, and how every thought in their hearts was always evil, He regretted creating humanity on earth, and His heart was grieved.»
These harsh words call us to self-reflection.
How am I—through my actions or inaction—contributing to an atmosphere of evil? Am I fostering a «hamartiosphere» (from hamartía, meaning sin), where negativity and wrongdoing grow?
God loves His creation and His creatures, and it pains Him when we fail to follow His plan, when we misuse our freedom and do not cooperate with His divine purpose.
Jesus warns us about hidden evil—the kind that grows and spreads dangerously, like leaven in dough. He often used this image positively, but not this time:
«Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.»
Today, we might replace «Pharisees and Herod» with modern figures, ideologies, and distortions of truth that corrupt hearts and minds.
What do you think these «leavens» are today? Which ones do you see as destructive? Which ones undermine your faith and hope?
Jesus reminds His disciples—and reminds us today—that He is the Bread of Life, the nourishment that strengthens us against evil and helps us spread goodness.
In the Eucharist, we receive Him.
«You are what you eat.»
When we receive the Body of Christ, we take on our true identity—called to be one in Him.
And in that unity, we are meant to care for one another and for our common home, the creation that God has entrusted to us.
This might seem like an overwhelming task, especially when we struggle even to take care of ourselves. But this is our calling—and for this, we need the Bread that Jesus offers, not the empty substitutes that fill us but do not nourish us, or worse, poison us.
Today’s Gospel passage ends with Jesus’ question:
«Do you still not understand?»
This is a great question to bring into prayer today.
Lord, enlighten our understanding so that we may comprehend, embrace, and live out the Word that challenges us. Free us from toxic influences that contaminate our hearts.
Your brother in faith,