Catholic Mass Readings and Reflection February 16, 2026
Monday – Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
16th February 2026 (Monday)
Psalter: Week 2
Readings of the Day
First Reading: James 1:1-11
James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings. Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials, of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a doubleminded man, unstable in all his ways. Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.
Psalm 119:67, 68, 71, 72, 75, 76 (R. 77a)
R/. Show me compassion, that I may live.
Gospel Acclamation
V/. Alleluia
R/. Alleluia
V/. I am the way, and the truth, and the life, says the Lord; no one comes to the Father except through me.
R/. Alleluia
Gospel: Mark 8:11-13
At that time: The Pharisees came and began to argue with Jesus, seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him. And he sighed deeply in his spirit and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Truly, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.” And he left them, got into the boat again, and went to the other side.
Daily Gospel Reflection
Monday – Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
Main Point: Faith does not consist of demanding a magic show from God to prove that He exists. It is about trusting Him through the mess that we are in knowing that the struggles are actually making us stronger.
1. In the first reading St. James begins with a sentence that sounds almost crazy. He says “count it all joy when you meet with various trials, my brethren.” Joy? In suffering? Most of us wish to run away from problems, not to celebrate them.
2. But, James explains something profound. He says that these trials are like a gym to our soul. Just as the muscles only increase in size when they are made to work against heavy weights, our faith only increases when it is tested. The testing creates patience and strength. And if life was always easy, we would be spiritually flabby.
3. If we don’t understand why we are suffering, says James: Ask God. But ask with trust. Don’t be like the waves in the ocean, speculating back and forth with all doubts. God loves to give wisdom, but we need to be ready to receive it in a steady manner.
4. Now, in the Gospel. The Pharisees are doing the very opposite. They come to Jesus and demand “a sign from heaven”. They don’t want to trust – they want a magic trick. They want proof of their own.
5. The text says Jesus “searched his spirit deeply.” That is such a human moment. You can feel His frustration and His sadness. He has been healing people and preaching love and they just fold their arms and say, Prove it.
6. Also because their hearts were hard, Jesus refused to give them a sign. He got into the boat and left. That is the tragedy. They were so preoccupied with seeking a great miracle in heaven that they overlooked the Savior who was standing right in front of them.
7. Real faith is not seeing a lightning bolt. Real faith wouldn’t let go of God’s hand when you are in pain like when James said “they didn’t need a sign to prove God is there.” It is trusting but believing that He is at work, even when we can’t see it.
My Practice: Am I asking God to prove Himself to me today, or am I asking Him to give me the strength to endure my challenges? Let’s stop looking for signs and start looking for wisdom.
