Shrove Tuesday: Leaven and Perseverance

Today is Shrove Tuesday, the final day before we enter the penitential season of Lent. It is a day traditionally marked by both celebration (“Fat Tuesday”) and preparation—shriving oneself of sin before the fast begins.

The Word

In today’s Gospel (Mark 8:14-21), Jesus warns his disciples to “watch out, guard against the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.”

The disciples, stuck in the literal, think he’s talking about the bread they forgot to pack. But Jesus is pointing to something deeper. Leaven—even a tiny amount—influences the entire batch of dough. The “leaven” of the Pharisees was their hypocrisy and legalism; the leaven of Herod was his worldliness and pursuit of power. Both are subtle corruptions that, if left unchecked, sour the whole of one’s spiritual life.

In the first reading (James 1:12-18), we are reminded: “Blessed is he who perseveres in temptation… all good giving and every perfect gift is from above.”

Reflection

As we stand on the threshold of Lent, today is the perfect time to audit the “leaven” in our own lives. What are the small, subtle habits or attitudes that are influencing the rest of our character?

Perseverance isn’t just about resisting the big, obvious temptations. It’s about the steady, daily choice to keep our hearts soft and our eyes open to the “Father of lights” from whom every perfect gift comes.

Tomorrow, the ashes will remind us of our mortality. Today, let the “leaven” warning remind us of our integrity.

Prayer for today: Lord, as I prepare for the journey of Lent, help me to identify the subtle influences in my life that draw me away from You. Grant me the grace of perseverance in temptation and a heart that always remembers Your past mercies. Amen.