Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: February 17,2026

Date: Tuesday of the 6^th Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture Text:   Mark 8:14-21

The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. Jesus enjoined them, "Watch out, guard against the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod." They concluded among themselves that it was because they had no bread.  When he became aware of this, he said to them, "Why do you conclude that it is because you have no bread? Do you not yet understand or comprehend? Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes and not see, ears and not hear? And do you not remember, when I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many wicker baskets full of fragments you picked up?" They answered him, "Twelve." "When I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand ,how many full baskets of fragments did you pick up?" They answered him, "Seven." He said to them, "Do you still not understand?"

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

Today’s gospel text recounts what happened immediately after Jesus denied the Pharisees an additional “sign” just after he’d performed the miracle of feeding four thousand followers with a mere seven loaves of bread and collecting seven baskets of fragments left over. He warns His disciples to not be hard of heart and hard to convert/change. But they misunderstand his words and think he is criticizing them for not having brought an adequate supply of Bread. Jesus corrects them by reminding them of his multiple miracles of feeding multitudes with inadequate amounts of food. The episode reminds us to not be hard of heart and resistant to conversion and to the LORD’s power and presence in our lives. It also reminds us to trust in Christ who continues to surprise and earn our trust.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Do I focus on the appropriate things on my journey or waste time worrying about the unimportant? Do I recognize Jesus’ work for my salvation and the magnitude of His power and the impact of His presence in my life?

Praying:

LORD,  Jesus Christ, Son of God, my Savior, open my mind and heart to You and to the truth that You bring into the world and into my life. Send the Spirit to strengthen my resolve to grow daily in my faith, my hope, and my love for You. Grant that I may recognize fully that You are “the way and the truth and the life.” Amen.