My God, I begin this day looking at my empty hands, forgetting that You are the one who fills them.
Lord, guard me from the wrong leaven
You warn me, just as you warned them, of the dangers that lie in wait for me.
“Jesus said to them, ‘Be careful! Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.'” (Matthew 16:6)
It is the leaven of doubt, fear, comparison, and rigidity. It is the leaven of the Pharisees’ pride and Herod’s search for power, which so easily creeps into my heart and poisons my faith.
And I know how dangerous this is, for:
“A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.” (Galatians 5:9)
Forgive me, Lord, for so often quarreling with myself over things that are fleeting. You speak to me of eternity, yet I stare into an empty basket. I have eyes, but I do not see Your presence.
I have ears, but I do not hear Your voice amidst the noise of my worries. My heart is sometimes so blinded by earthly things that I fear I will overlook God in my daily life.
You are the God who multiplies what is little
Help me to remember Your works. Remind me of the times You made “much” from my “little.” Remind me how You fed the multitudes when they had only a humble meal.
“Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to set before the people.” (Mark 6:41)
You invite me not to work only for physical food, which satisfies for but a few hours. You invite me to a deeper hunger and a deeper satisfaction—to the food that truly matters.
“Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you.” (John 6:27)
This morning, Lord, I no longer want to worry about the loaf of bread in the boat. I desire You. You are the only bread for a hungry soul, the one who can truly satisfy me and quench my deepest thirst.
Please, be my food today.
“Then Jesus declared, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.'” (John 6:35)
May I not hunger and thirst for fleeting things today, but be filled with You, with Your presence and Your word. May I finally understand.
Amen.
Amen 🙏