Monday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time

• First Reading – James 1:1-11: James encourages the scattered tribes to find joy in trials, as they build endurance and maturity. Seek wisdom from God with unwavering faith. Humility and reliance on God are valued over wealth, which is transient.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 119: Straying led to suffering, yet it taught me the value of Your decrees, surpassing wealth. In Your right judgments and promised mercy, I find solace and thrive.
• Gospel – Mark 8:11-13: Confronted by Pharisees seeking a miraculous sign as proof, Jesus, expressing deep frustration, categorically refused, stating that no sign would be provided to them. He then departed, leaving the discussion unresolved and continuing on his journey.

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.’

Mark 8:12

On Monday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 2, the readings highlight trust in God and the call to deeper faith. James speaks of trials and wisdom, while Mark shows Jesus’ response to the Pharisees’ demand for signs. These themes guide us to rely on God and recognize His presence in our lives.

• Trust during trials: James speaks of the value of perseverance during challenges. Trials help build faith and draw us closer to God.
• Seeking wisdom from God: James reminds us to ask God for wisdom with faith. Wisdom helps us make choices that reflect trust in Him.
• Riches and humility: James contrasts the lowly and the rich, pointing to the fleeting nature of wealth. True glory comes from trusting God, not possessions.
• Faith over signs: Jesus refuses to give the Pharisees a sign in Mark’s Gospel. Faith should not rely on demands for proof but on trusting God’s work in unseen ways.
• Avoiding doubt in faith: Both readings challenge doubting hearts. Doubt weakens our relationship with God and hinders His blessings.
• God’s constant presence: Though the Pharisees sought a sign, Jesus had already revealed God’s work through His teachings and miracles. God is present even when we don’t see Him clearly.

These themes remind us to rely on God with faith and humility. They encourage us to seek Him with trust, especially in times of challenge.

The readings for Monday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 2, invite us to reflect on trust, faith, and humility. James reminds us that trials, wealth, and doubt challenge our relationship with God, while the Gospel shows Jesus calling for faith over signs. These themes encourage us to examine how we respond to challenges and where we place our trust.

Trusting God Over Riches

On Monday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 2, James reminds us that wealth is temporary. He contrasts the lowly person, who relies on God, with the rich, who may trust in their possessions. This is a reminder that money and status will fade, but God’s care for us will never change.

It is easy to get caught up in the things of this world. Many people spend their lives chasing riches or trying to gain approval from others. But James shows us that true glory does not come from material things. It comes from trusting in God, who is always faithful.

This message calls us to live humbly and to focus on what truly matters. We should spend our energy on loving God and helping others instead of trying to impress the world. In doing so, we store up treasures in heaven that will never fade away.

God’s Presence Is Always There

On Monday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 2, the Gospel reminds us of God’s constant presence. The Pharisees demanded a sign from Jesus, even though He had already revealed God’s work through His teachings and miracles. Their hearts were closed, and they could not see what was right in front of them.

We sometimes act like the Pharisees, asking for clear signs to know God is with us. But God does not always work in obvious ways. Often, He works quietly in our lives, guiding and caring for us in ways we may not see at first.

This calls us to trust in God, even when we do not understand His plans. We can grow in faith by reflecting on how God has helped us in the past. When we look back, we often realize that He was always there, even when we didn’t notice at the time.

Faith Without Doubts

Another important theme in the readings for Monday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 2, is the importance of faith without doubting. James encourages us to ask God for wisdom and trust that He will provide it. In the Gospel, Jesus refuses to give the Pharisees a sign because their hearts were full of doubt.

Doubt can make it harder to trust God and receive His help. When we doubt, we hold back and do not fully open ourselves to His care. Faith requires us to believe that God knows what is best for us, even when we cannot see it.

This reflection reminds us to pray with confidence and trust that God hears us. We should ask for His guidance and believe that He will lead us on the right path. Faith is not always easy, but when we trust God, we grow closer to Him and experience His care in our lives.

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As we reflect on Monday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 2, let us consider how these lessons apply to our lives. God calls us to trust Him in all circumstances, whether in trials, in blessings, or in moments of doubt. May these reflections guide us closer to Him in faith.

Prayer

Lord, help us trust You in all things. Teach us to see Your presence, even when life feels uncertain. Guide us to live humbly and focus on what truly matters. Strengthen our faith so that we may grow closer to You each day. We ask this through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Reflection Questions

• How do you trust God during difficult times?
• Do you focus on material things or on your relationship with God?
• How can you open your heart to see God’s presence in your life?
• What steps can you take to strengthen your faith and avoid doubt?

Word on Fire: The Essence of Faith

Bishop Robert Barron’s reflection for Monday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 emphasizes faith as trust in God’s presence, beyond the confines of reason and control. He explains that faith involves an openness to God’s will, highlighting that true faith means acknowledging we are not in control but part of a larger divine plan. Barron challenges us to embrace faith as a relationship built on trust, similar to our relationships with loved ones, and to recognize our lives as integral to God’s grand design, not as our individual projects.

What date is Monday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

The next date is Monday February 16, 2026.

Cycle 1 is used in odd numbered years and Cycle 2 is used in even numbered years. The gospel is the same for both years. For odd numbered years see Monday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1.

What are the Mass readings for Monday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

The Mass readings for Monday February 16, 2026 are:
First Reading  – James 1:1-11: Embracing Trials with Joy
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 119: Grace for Growth
Gospel – Mark 8:11-13: Jesus Refuses a Sign

What does James mean by perseverance during trials in the first reading for Monday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

James teaches that challenges help us grow in faith. They teach us to rely on God and develop strength to face life’s struggles.

Why does James say we should ask for wisdom?

James encourages us to ask God for wisdom because it helps us make good decisions. Trusting God to guide us keeps us on the right path.

What does James mean about the rich and the lowly?

James reminds us that wealth does not last forever. True happiness and honor come from trusting God, not from material things.

What does James say about doubting?

James warns that doubt makes it hard to receive God’s help. When we trust God fully, we are more open to His blessings.

How can we stay humble in a world that values riches?

James reminds us to focus on God rather than material things. Humility comes from seeing that true joy is in Him, not in possessions.

Why does Jesus refuse to give the Pharisees a sign in the Gospel for Monday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

The Pharisees demanded a sign to prove Jesus’ authority, but He wanted them to trust without proof. Faith means believing in God’s presence even when we do not see it clearly.

What lesson can we take from Jesus’ response to the Pharisees?

Jesus shows us that faith does not rely on seeing signs. We should trust God’s work in our lives even when it is not obvious.

How can we have faith without seeing signs?

We can trust God by remembering His care for us in the past. Prayer and reading His Word help us believe in Him even when life is difficult.

How do these readings call us to live?

They encourage us to trust God in all circumstances. We should rely on Him during trials, seek wisdom, and keep our faith strong.

How can we apply these teachings to our daily life?

We can trust God during hard times, ask Him for wisdom, and avoid focusing on material wealth. Living with faith and humility keeps us close to Him.