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Gospel Reading for February 17, 2026 – Mark 8: 14-21
OBVIOUS
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?”
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At times, we are like the disciples—we fail to understand and to comprehend. Though we have eyes, we do not truly see; though we have ears, we do not truly hear.
Jesus was speaking about the leaven of the Pharisees and of Herod, yet they thought he was referring to their lack of bread, since they had brought only one loaf with them. Why would Jesus be concerned about their shortage of bread when he had already multiplied loaves twice in their presence?
When we call ourselves Christians yet worry excessively about material resources, it becomes OBVIOUS that we are failing to hear Jesus.
When we claim to be Christians yet do not recognize the daily graces and blessings we receive from God, it becomes OBVIOUS that we are failing to see him.
When we profess to be Christians yet take positions and make decisions that contradict the life and teachings of Jesus, it becomes OBVIOUS that we are failing both to see and to hear him.
How empty it is to be baptized as Christians and yet live in a way that runs contrary to Christ’s life and teachings!
Open our eyes and our ears, O Lord, that we may always see you and hear you!
