First Reading

Reading from the letter of the apostle James 

James 1, 12-18

Brothers: Blessed is the man who endures temptation, for after he has been proven, he will receive as his reward the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

Let no one, when he is tempted, say, «I am being tempted by God»; for God is not subject to temptation to evil, and he himself tempts no one. Rather, the person who is tempted is one who is dragged away and enticed by his own desire. Then desire conceives and gives birth to sin, and when sin reaches maturity, it gives birth to death.

Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers: Every generous act and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. He willed to give us birth by the word of truth so that we might be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

Gospel

Reading from the holy gospel according to Saint Mark

Mark 8, 14-21

At that time, as the disciples were going with Jesus in the boat, they realized that they had forgotten to bring bread; they only had one loaf. Jesus warned them: «Watch out and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.» Then they said to one another: «It is because we have no bread.»

Aware of this, Jesus said to them: «Why are you discussing the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet understand or comprehend? Are your minds so dull? Do you have eyes and do not see, ears and do not hear? Do you not remember how many baskets full of leftovers you picked up when I broke the five loaves for the five thousand?» They answered him, «Twelve.» He said to them, «And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many baskets full of leftovers did you pick up?» They answered him, «Seven.» Then he said to them, «Do you still not understand?»