Letters From Home Tuesday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time - Dr. Shane Owens
Feb 17, 2026
Short scripture reflection on Mark 8 and the boat scene. Discussion of why disciples take Jesus' words literally. Exploration of the symbolic numbers twelve and seven and Gentile inclusion. Conversation about the corrupting leaven of Herod and Pharisees and the distinction between inner purity and external ritual. Closing call to keep hearts open and trust the Mass.
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Leaven Points To Spiritual Blindness
- The disciples take Jesus' warning about 'leaven' literally and think he means lack of bread.
- Jesus instead points them to the two feedings and the symbolic numbers 12 and 7 indicating deeper meaning.
Misunderstandings In Gospel Stories
- Owens recounts Gospel examples where listeners take Jesus' words literally, like Nicodemus and the Samaritan woman.
- These examples illustrate how Jesus' audience often misunderstands spiritual speech as physical.
Numbers Signal Israel And The Nations
- The two feedings use numbers intentionally: five loaves → twelve baskets, seven loaves → seven baskets.
- Owens reads these as signs that Jesus feeds both Israel (12) and the Gentiles (7) spiritually and physically.