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Gospel Reading for February 14, 2026 – Mark 8: 1-10
SHARE LOVE
In those days when there again was a great crowd without anything to eat, Jesus summoned the disciples and said, “My heart is moved with pity for the crowd, because they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat. If I send them away hungry to their homes, they will collapse on the way, and some of them have come a great distance.” His disciples answered him, “Where can anyone get enough bread to satisfy them here in this deserted place?” Still he asked them, “How many loaves do you have?” They replied, “Seven.” He ordered the crowd to sit down on the ground. Then, taking the seven loaves he gave thanks, broke them, and gave them to his disciples to distribute, and they distributed them to the crowd. They also had a few fish. He said the blessing over them and ordered them distributed also. They ate and were satisfied. They picked up the fragments left over–seven baskets. There were about four thousand people.
He dismissed the crowd and got into the boat with his disciples and came to the region of Dalmanutha.
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Jesus reminds us that to be called true Christians, it is not enough to preach or teach the Word of God. Genuine faith must be expressed in love, concern, and care for those in need. In the Gospel of Matthew 25: 31–46—commonly known as the Last Judgment—Jesus the King separates the sheep from the goats and says to the sheep: “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”
It is not enough merely to attend the Eucharist—even daily. We cannot receive Jesus in Holy Communion and yet fail to recognize him in those who are hungry, thirsty, lonely, sick, or imprisoned. The Christ we worship at the altar is the same Christ who waits for us in the poor and the suffering.
At times, we hesitate to help because of our insecurities. We fear that if we keep giving, we may one day become the ones in need. But we must remember that everything we have comes from him. God grants us opportunities to practice charity, to draw forth the goodness he has placed within us. We need not be anxious about losing anything, for he is always faithful in providing what we truly need.
Today, as the secular world celebrates Valentine’s day, it would be the best opportunity to SHARE LOVE not only with our loved ones, but with those in need.
Lord Jesus, teach us to love as you love and to reflect your generous and compassionate heart!
