Who Do You Let Influence You - Weekday Homily Video

“Guard against the leaven of the Pharisee and Herod...”

Jesus is cautioning his apostles against letting bad influence corrupt their lives. During my time in the formation house, it was interesting to see some young men especially those who were struggling with their discernment journey. Instead of dealing with their weaknesses rightly, some used to find it easier to seek relevance and security by trying to rally people around their weaknesses, acting as victims of being misunderstood. Implicitly and gradually becoming the bad apple.

Sneaky Bad Habits

This can happen in any setting, like places of work or groups. My plea to the seminarians; was always to tell them that they were responsible for their discernment process, and hence it was important they watch out for subtle bad influences from others. We too could have had moments where we were tempted to waver from our values and principles and found ourselves picking up bad habits.

A Few Bad Apples

In the gospel Jesus is using the metaphor of the leaven or yeast to illustrate how even a small amount of negative influence can spread and corrupt the whole. He is warning against harmful influences of the Pharisees and Herod. Just like the yeast affects the dough and makes it rise, the teachings and actions of the Pharisees and Herod could spread and impact others, leading them away from God.

Who Do We Follow?

Jesus was addressing himself to two kinds of corruptions. That of the pharisees which is based on narrow-minded and intolerant legalism, imposing burdensome laws while they lived a double standard. And that of Herod which is based on immoral and hedonistic pleasure seeking. As Jesus mentions the yeast and bread, the apostles link it to not having enough beard and they become preoccupied with worry and anxiety. And this also raise another issue, that is, trusting that Jesus that he can provide unconditionally. Yet they had just witnessed the miracle of feeding thousands.

Guard Your Hearts

For us too, we can easily be prone to all kinds of influences in our present world. Jesus is reminding us to be vigilant against false teachings and behaviors that go against the truth of God. He is urging us to be discerning and to guard our hearts and minds against influences that may lead us astray.

We can protect ourselves from being swayed by hypocrisy and unbelief, by staying rooted in genuine faith and following the teachings of Jesus. By surrendering our personal control and acceptance of God’s will. The beliefs and actions of others can subtly shape our own thoughts and behaviors, just as yeast can subtly change the dough. So, let us be aware of the influences around us and strive to align ourselves with the truth and grace of Jesus, resisting the temptation to follow the ways of the Pharisees and Herod.

Being Anchored in Jesus

We should anchor ourselves in the unchanging truth of Christ amidst all sorts of shifting influences. We also encouraged to put our trust and hope in Jesus. We have to believe that he is able to provide and love us unconditionally. He asks to believe that he can lead us to heaven and not away from it. That trust is not passive but active, involving prayer, obedience and a continual seeking of God’s presence.

So let us prayerfully reflect on where we are experiencing insecurities in our lives and ask God for the gift of faith to recognize and to be mindful of his life-giving presence among us.

• Today’s Readings
  
  
• Father Fulgen's inspirational homily was recorded live during Mass at the Father Peyton Center this morning. You can view the Mass (and the Rosary at the 30-minute mark) on the Family Rosary YouTube page.
  
  
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