In the gospel passage Jesus tells his disciples and us to watch out for and guard against the "leaven of the Pharisees." which is the contagious influence of evil. Such persons thus infected cannot see with their eyes nor hear with their ears - what is of vital importance in their lives.
These evil doers cannot see or hear the presence of the true "sign from above" which God the Father so generously and lovingly sent: Jesus, his Son. It is not "lack of bread" (lack of a sign) that makes these people evil – rather it is lack of faith: lack of the conversion of heart necessary to respond to God's loving call to holiness and wholeness.
In the first reading from the letter of St. James we get a glimpse into how we are to deal with the tricksters and pharisaical people who are out to derail us from our rightful place in God's family: "do not be deceived, my beloved brothers and sisters, all good things and every perfect gift comes from above – comes from God" – therefore, anything else that comes as a temptation against God's goodness, God's will, God's graciousness is from the evil one and is to be shunned. Most of these things are found in our own uncontrolled and unbridled desires. The Gift of the Holy Spirit – which came upon the Church on Pentecost – and on each of us at our Baptism and Confirmation – can provide the control and the bridledness that we need to live as holy, healthy, happy children of our heavenly Father.
May be not be deceived today by the evil one – lead us not into temptation, dear Father – but deliver us this day and every day from all evil! Amen.
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