Thought for the Day-Critical Examination

De Pannenkoekenbakster (The Pancake Maker), Jan Miense Molenaer, 1645

A Thought for the Day given at a lunchtime service at St Olave Hart Street on Shrove Tuesday 17th February 2026 at 12.30pm based on the texts of James 1.12-18 and Mark 8.14-21.

This evening people across the land will be deep in critical examination. Working out whether the batter is too runny or too thick. Examining their pots and pans to try to discern which are less likely to turn their pancakes into a quivering lump. Straining to reach into the depths of their cupboards to find that expensive squeezy chocolate sauce that was left over from last year.

Shrove Tuesday - is – as it happens - all about critical examination. But not of pancakes - of ourselves. The word shrove comes from ‘shrive’ which means to receive absolution following confession.

Confession which is the product of self-reflection in the light of truth, recognising where we have erred and finding the humility and courage to seek and ask for God’s forgiveness. Today is all about that critical examination.

The truth is, I’m not sure if the author of the Epistle of James would prefer sugar or lemon on his pancakes if he were around today. I have a sneaky sense he may prefer them plain? The letter he wrote – part of which we heard in our first reading, is a text not known for sugar coating the challenges of living a godly life. Seen as a no-nonsense guide for practical, ethical behaviour. The gist of which is clear even from the short passage we heard just now.  

“Blessed is anyone who endures temptation” he writes.

Before going on to explain – in no uncertain terms - where temptation comes from.

It doesn’t come from God. It’s not God examining us to see how good we are. Temptation doesn’t come from any outside influence, in fact. Not from society. Or from social media. Temptation, the letter says, starts from within us –grows into sin – and leads, inevitably, to death.

Today’s short gospel reading highlights a temptation that many of us may recognise.

The disciples are anxious that they didn’t bring enough food for their boat trip. Just after they had helped Jesus to miraculously feed four thousand people having just seen him feed five thousand in the same way.

“Watch out – [Jesus says] – beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod”.  They think he is talking about a certain type of bread.

Jesus reminds them of the miracles they have witnessed.

“How many baskets did you collect after the five thousand were fed?” he asks.
“Twelve.” They reply.
“And after the four thousand?”
“Seven.”
“And do you still not understand?”

While they are sitting in a boat, face to face with the one who is the Bread of Life, the disciples are worrying about having enough bread to eat.

Perhaps this anxiety – arising from a mindset of perpetual insufficiency – is the yeast that Jesus was warning the disciples about? A tiny grain that grows inside us and eventually consumes all our thoughts. We don’t have enough time or money or success or prestige or glory or love. We don’t have what others seem to have. Small resentments expanding to a lifelong and futile quest for fulfilment of hunger. Futile because we are chasing the wrong food.

The self-examination of Shrove Tuesday is about noticing that yeast, that hunger, that temptation within each of us.

And recognising that the fulfilment of every possible desire has been revealed to us in the Bread of Life that is our saviour, Jesus Christ.  And no, we still do not understand, which is why we return here, each week by week, to receive it.

Links
Please join us if you can for our online Lent Course this Lent. Find details of that and other Lenten resources being offered by the Diocese of London and the Church of England at this link.

Do join us at St Olave Hart Street for our special services and events this Lent. You can find details at this link.

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De Pannenkoekenbakster (The Pancake Maker), Jan Miense Molenaer, 1645