Gospel: February 17, 2026
February 17, 2026 (Tuesday)
6th Week in Ordinary Time
Psalter: Week 2 (Green/White)
The Seven Holy Founders of the Servite Order, religious
Ps 94:12-13a, 14-15, 18-19
Blessed the man you instruct, O Lord.
1st Reading: James 1:12-18
Gospel: Mark 8:14-21
The disciples had forgotten to bring more bread, and had only one loaf with them in the boat. Then Jesus warned them, “Keep your eyes open, and beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod.” And they said to one another, “He saw that we have no bread.” Aware of this, Jesus asked them, “Why are you talking about the loaves you are short of? Do you not see or understand? Are your minds closed? Have you eyes that don’t see and ears that don’t hear? And do you not remember when I broke the five loaves among five thousand? How many baskets full of leftovers did you collect?” They answered, “Twelve.” “And having distributed seven loaves to the four thousand, how many wicker baskets of leftovers did you collect?” They answered, “Seven.” Then Jesus said to them, “Do you still not understand?”
Reflection:
“Do you not remember?”
“He saw that we have no bread.” The disciples’ response reflects their preoccupation with immediate needs, causing them to miss Jesus’ warning about the “yeast of the Pharisees and Herod.” This likely frustrated Jesus, as their focus on the material echoed the forgetfulness of Israel, who overlooked God’s saving works. Similarly, we often fear, doubt, and worry when faced with life’s challenges, losing sight of God’s provisions.
“Do you not remember?” was Jesus’ antidote to the crippling forgetfulness of the disciples. Jesus helped them remember the miracle and grace that he had done. Today, Jesus saves us from the pit of preoccupation and forgetfulness as he continually offers himself at the Holy Eucharist saying, “Do this in remembrance of me.”
Let us always fix our attention on Jesus whenever trials come our way. As the Psalmist rightly says, “Blessed the man you instruct, O Lord.”
