Daily Catholic Lectio. Tue, 17 February ‘26. Do You Still Not Understand?

Daily Catholic Lectio

Tue, 17 February ‘26

Sixth Week in Ordinary Time, Tuesday

Jas 1:12–18. Mk 8:14–15

Do You Still Not Understand?

In the Gospel today, Jesus asks a painful question: “Do you still not understand?” It is not a question of intelligence. It is a question of the heart.

The crowds have seen His mighty works and proclaim, “He has done all things well.”

Yet the disciples — those closest to Him — struggle to understand who He truly is.

They are in the boat with Jesus. They have witnessed miracles. They have seen loaves multiplied. And still, they worry about bread. Jesus warns them: “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.” But they misunderstand. They think He is talking about food. Jesus speaks of something deeper.

Leaven is small, almost invisible — yet it transforms everything. Here it represents hidden attitudes: hypocrisy, hardness of heart, subtle unbelief, quiet resistance to grace. The disciples miss the meaning because their minds are full of anxiety.

They focus on what they lack. They forget Who is with them. How often this happens to us.

We sit in the same boat. We have seen God’s goodness. We have experienced His providence.

We have received His grace. And still, we worry.

We look at our shortages, our problems, our uncertainties — and forget that the One who multiplies loaves is already present.

This is the tragedy of fear: it narrows our vision. When the heart is restless, even God becomes difficult to recognize.

The Letter of James today gives us an important correction. We sometimes think our trials come from God. We imagine that He sends suffering to test us. But James is clear: “Every good and perfect gift is from above.” God is not the source of evil. Temptation grows when our own disordered desires are left unchecked. When we nourish them, they mature into sin. James gently reminds us: We are responsible for the direction of our lives. 

This connects beautifully with the Gospel.

Jesus says: “Beware.” James says: “Be vigilant.” Both call us to interior awareness. Because misunderstanding God often begins inside us.

Our anxieties, disappointments, fatigue, resentments — these can cloud our ability to see Him.

When worry grows, faith shrinks. We forget past graces, miracles, and providence, Jesus asks again, “Do you still not understand?” This question is not condemnation. It is invitation. An invitation to remember. An invitation to trust. 

Two lessons for us: (a) Do not let anxiety interpret your life. (b) Remain watchful over the movements of the heart.

Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi

Archdiocese of Madurai

Missionary of Mercy