preoccupied

“Be on guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” (Mt. 16:6)

The local religious leaders (Pharisees and Sadducees) demanded that Jesus present them with proof of his authority from God in the form of a miracle. Proof is fine and necessary in a court of law, but religion requires something called “faith” as well. I find it enlightening that the focus of priority for these religious leaders was proof, not faith, and that they were demanding it from one who had been demonstrating proofs of his power to miraculously provide and heal on a daily basis for some time. I don’t know what their preoccupation is all about, but its effect is interesting, to say the least. Jesus warns his disciples to be on the watch for how the “yeast” of these leaders and their teachings/priorities may negatively permeate and influence their lives. The disciples, however, were preoccupied with their own failure to bring any bread for lunch. When Jesus mentions yeast, the disciples assume that he’s referring to their lack of bread. Jesus has to repeat his message before they finally clue in to what he’s really talking about.

It was clear that Jesus was talking about the influence of the religious leaders—not bread—the first time. The disciples’ confusion stemmed from their obsession with their own problem at the time; therefore, they didn’t really listen to what Jesus said. In their preoccupation, they heard Jesus’ words through their own filters of fear, insecurity and doubt. They were distracted by their own concerns to the point of not being able to connect with Jesus or his teaching. As a result, they missed his real meaning and intent completely. They also committed the error of assuming and attaching meanings to his words that were completely incorrect. The disciples are not alone in this tendency. How easy it is to be so preoccupied with myself while engaged in conversation that I disconnect from the real intent and message of the other that I’m supposed to be listening to, and even imagine that I hear them say something very different than what in fact was said! The human tendency towards preoccupation with one’s self is the source of all kinds of assumptions, wrong judgments and misunderstandings that have plagued our interpersonal relationships on a local, national and international level throughout our human history.

For me, being preoccupied with my own issues and concerns is connected to how much I practice trusting God to be aware of and responsive to my needs. When I forget or chose not to entrust my cares to God, I have a tendency to obsess and brood over my concerns. Brooding is just another way of saying preoccupation, and it causes me to be less capable (or incapable) of being present to anything or anyone—God, myself, my work and activities, and others. When I entrust my cares to God, I am able to be more mindful of myself and more present with others.

How about you?