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Gospel Reading for February 16, 2026 – Mark 8: 11-13
CLEAR SIGN
The Pharisees came forward and began to argue with Jesus, seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him. He sighed from the depth of his spirit and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Amen, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.” Then he left them, got into the boat again, and went off to the other shore.
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Every good and perfect gift comes from heaven; in itself, it is already a CLEAR SIGN of God’s presence. In the gospel of Mark 9: 38–40, John said to Jesus, “Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him because he was not one of us.” But Jesus replied, “Do not stop him. For no one who does a mighty deed in my name can at the same time speak ill of me. Whoever is not against us is for us.”
Even today, there are Christians among us who are very particular about who has the authority to heal in Jesus’ name or to preach the goodness of God, especially when those people do not belong to our own Church. Yet if these works are done in a spirit of true charity and sincerity, why should we question their authority?
All human beings are created in God’s image and likeness. Because of this, there is always a spark of goodness within each of us—a goodness that does not require official authorization to shine.
Lord, may our lives always abound in goodness as our humble thanksgiving for all the wonderful things you have done for us.
