Catholic Mass Readings and Reflection February 17, 2026
Tuesday – Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
17th February 2026 (Tuesday)
Psalter: Week 2
Readings of the Day
First Reading: James 1:12-18
Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. Every good gift 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. Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
Psalm 94:12-13a, 14-15, 18-19 (R. 12a)
R/. Blessed the man whom you discipline, O Lord.
Gospel Acclamation
V/. Alleluia
R/. Alleluia
V/. If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, says the Lord; and my Father will love him, and we will come to him.
R/. Alleluia
Gospel: Mark 8:14-21
At that time: The disciples had forgotten to bring bread and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. And Jesus cautioned them, saying, “Watch out; beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.” And they began discussing with one another, the fact that they had no bread. And Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why are you discussing the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Having eyes do you not see, and having ears do you not hear? And do you not remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” They said to him, “Twelve.” “And the seven for the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” And they said to him, “Seven.” And he said to them, “Do you not yet understand?”
Daily Gospel Reflection
Tuesday – Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
Main Point: We are very good at blaming others for our mistakes – even blaming God. But, true maturity is when we realise that the battle is in our own hearts, and that the gift of God is only good, not temptations.
1. In the first reading, St. James addresses a very common human habit, the blame game. When we mess up or fall into sin our very first instinct is to say, “It wasn’t my fault! The situation was too difficult,” or even, “God made me put this temptation on my path.
2. James says, “Stop.” He says this clearly to us: “Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am tempted by God.'” God is light. He cannot be tempted by evil and He tempts nobody! He is on our side, not laying traps for us.
3. So from where does temptation originate? James says it is from our own desire. It starts inside. It lures us and drags us away. It is like a fish biting a hook – the fish can not blame the fisherman if they wanted to bite the bait. We have to own our choices.
4. But there is good news too. James tells us that “every good endowment and every perfect gift is from above.” God isn’t our bad choices, He’s our source of all the good things which help us overcome our bad choices
5. The disciples in the Gospel are also missing the point. They are in the boat with Jesus but they are panicking because they had forgotten to get the bread. They have only one loaf. They are worried about lunch.
6. Jesus attempts to propel a warning to them with regard to the “leaven of the Pharisees” – meaning their bad influence and lack of belief. But the disciples don’t hear the spiritual supervision because they are too busy to argue over physical bread.
7. Jesus gets frustrated. He asks, “Are you still not perceiving or understanding? Are your hearts hardened?” He reminds them: “When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets did you pick up?” They answer, “Twelve.”
8. He is saying: “Why are you worrying over one loaf?” I am right here! I just made thousands out of nothing, and you think I can’t take care of you?”
9. Both the readings teach us in regard to responsibility and trust. James tells us: So stop blaming God for your sins. Jesus tells us: Stop thinking that God has given up on you so you forgot your lunch.
10. We get our own way by following evil desires (James) or forgetting that God is powerful (Mark). We need to stop looking on what we lack (bread) and start looking on who we have (Jesus).
My Practice: When I fall into sin today, will I make an excuse, or will I admit, “I chose this”? And when I face a problem, will I panic like the disciples, or remember how God has helped me in the past?
