Daily Gospel Reflection for February 17, 2026

A reflection on Mark 8:14-21, urging readers to seek spiritual nourishment and trust in Jesus over earthly comforts or harmful influences.

Today's Gospel: Mark 8:14-21

My mom was six-feet tall and had a wingspan that seemed to cover an entire church pew. Whenever my brothers and I were whispering or not focused during Mass, she would reach from behind with those long arms and give a thump to the back of our ear. We never saw it coming and she didn't need to say a word. We knew we'd been snapped back to attention. Today's Gospel is sort of like one of Mom's ear-thumps! As Jesus delivers these words, I can just imagine Him doing a big 'ole facepalm thinking, "Really, guys? We've been over this. Look with your heart and not your eyes!"

Out of great love for us, Jesus offers some powerful warnings because He so desperately wants us close and free. Theres are a couple of warnings that strike particularly close to my heart during these crazy times. Jesus warns against looking only at our earthly needs and desires. The apostles were focused on bodily bread for the comfort of their bellies while Jesus was talking about true nourishment for the soul, which is required for sainthood. Comfort or courage. The Gospel invites us to find the the places where we seek comfort and look instead for places where He's inviting us to trust and courageously follow Him.

When He makes His warning about leaven, He's warning us about influences all around us. It only takes a wee bit of yeast or leaven to create a reaction in dough. When we realize how many windows there are into our lives, that bring the leaven of the world, both good and evil, we must ask the Holy Spirit for wisdom to see truth and to guide and guard what sprouts, grows, and overwhelms our minds, hearts, and souls.

Ponder:

Read this Gospel slowly and choose a couple of Jesus’ warnings or questions. Where did the Holy Spirit give you a little thump and help you see where Jesus is inviting you to let Him work?

Pray:

Sweet and merciful Father, grant me the wisdom to hear and heed Your warnings. Flood me with the grace to choose courage over comfort and follow You more closely than ever before.

Pray Together:

Bake something with yeast and watch the yeast dissolve and expand the ingredients. Talk about the good and bad ways the world influences us.

Copyright 2026 Sheri Wohlfert