The Apostles were confused by the words of Jesus in today's Gospel, and maybe we are too. He told them to be on guard against the yeast of Herod and the Pharisees. Jesus spoke of yeast in the sense that it is a symbol of corruption. The apostles thought He was referring to bread, but He was warning them that they must be concerned lest they fall prey to the corrupting influence of evil men. He added that they need not worry about bread because God supplies their needs.

St James in the reading today says much the same thing. He warns that we must be on guard against temptation. These temptations do not come from God. They come from within ourselves and from persons and things around us. What comes from God is only good. In fact, every genuine benefit comes from God the Father. We need not worry about strength to resist temptations; that strength comes from God as surely as bread comes from God.

God gives us the gift of the Eucharist. No one need starve spiritually. What we must do is to open ourselves as fully as possible to the influence of the benefit of this spiritual food. First, we must be humble enough to admit that we need Jesus in the Eucharist. Secondly, we must have a firm faith that He can and will help us. Thirdly, we must tell Him that we are willing and eager to respond to the grace He gives us.