Now when his disciples had come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread. Then Jesus said to them, “Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees.” (Matthew 16:5-6)
Jesus, please help us hear and respond to what you are saying.
And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “It is because we have taken no bread.” (Matthew 16:7)
Holy Spirit, please help us turn to you for guidance and understanding rather than relying solely on our human reasoning.
Jesus, the church has gone off the rails by its reliance on human reasoning. Please draw us back to you and your reliance on the Holy Spirit for guidance.
But Jesus, being aware of it, said to them, “O you of little faith, why do you reason among yourselves because you have brought no bread? Do you not yet understand, or remember the five loaves of the five thousand and how many baskets you took up? Nor the seven loaves of the four thousand and how many large baskets you took up? How is it you do not understand that I did not speak to you concerning bread?–but to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” (Matthew 16:8-11)
Father, help us daily ask and thank you and bless you for our daily bread and provision. Father, help us look to you to provide for us.
Then they understood that he did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees. (Matthew 16:12)
Jesus, help us to beware of rigid teaching of the law which cares nothing for the people it is being applied to, and help us beware of those who use church office as a place to exercise power over others. Thank you for the ministry of Bishop Bill and the leadership of this diocese.
Thursday: [83] or 23, 27; 1 Maccabees 1:1-28 or Joel 2:21-27; Revelation 19:1-10; Matthew 16:1-12
Friday: 88; 1 Maccabees 1:41-63 or Joel 2:28-3:8; Revelation 19:11-16; Matthew 16:13-20
Albany Intercessor
