17 Feb 2026
Mardi Gras for Beginners
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
For 17 February 2026, Mardi Gras, based on Mark 8:14-21
Now the disciples had forgotten to bring any bread; and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. And Jesus cautioned them, saying, “Watch out—beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod.” They said to one another, “It is because we have no bread.” And becoming aware of it, Jesus said to them, “Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes, and fail to see? Do you have ears, and fail to hear? And do you not remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you collect?” They said to him, “Twelve.” “And the seven for the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you collect?” And they said to him, “Seven.” Then he said to them, “Do you not yet understand?”
Scripture passage from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright 1989, 1993, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
General editor:
18 February 2026 @ 6:49 am
I just listened to this homily twice to make certain that I had gleaned all the grace that was available to me. I resonated with the idea that somehow there has been an allowance made that have seemingly pushed the primary object of our worship, God, away only to be replaced by ritual which was intended to draw us toward God, instead became the object of worship. Very well done. Powerful words, ideas, and spirituality very well communicated.