Saturday of the 5th Week in Ordinary Time

• First Reading – 1 Kings 12:26-32; 13:33-34: Jeroboam, fearing loss of control, made two golden calves, leading Israel into idolatry. He built shrines, appointed non-Levitical priests, and mimicked Judah’s feast, actions that marked his dynasty for destruction.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 106: Acknowledging our ancestors’ ingratitude and idolatry in Egypt, we seek the Lord’s kindness. They forgot His salvation and wonders, exchanging divine glory for an ox’s image.
• Gospel – Mark 8:1-10: Jesus, moved by compassion for a crowd following him for three days without food, miraculously fed about four thousand people with just seven loaves and a few fish. After ensuring everyone was satisfied and collecting seven baskets of leftovers, he and his disciples departed for Dalmanutha, highlighting his care and miraculous ability to provide.

Lectionary Reference: 334

Upcoming dates: February 14, 2026, February 12, 2028, February 16, 2030

 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.

Mark 8:6

On Saturday of the 5th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, the readings focus on faithfulness to God and His care for His people. They warn against turning away from God and show how Jesus provides for the needs of His followers.

• Faithfulness to God: The first reading shows how turning away from God leads to harm. It reminds us to stay true to God in worship and daily life.
• Dangers of Idolatry: Jeroboam’s actions warn about creating idols. This teaches that placing anything above God leads to spiritual ruin.
• God’s Mercy is Rejected: Jeroboam does not repent despite his sins. This shows the danger of hardening one’s heart against God’s mercy.
• God’s Care for All: In the Gospel, Jesus feeds the crowd. This shows that God cares for both physical and spiritual needs.
• Gratitude for Blessings: The people in the Gospel rely on Jesus for food. This reminds us to thank God for His many blessings in our lives.
• Trust in God’s Plan: The disciples question how to feed so many people. Jesus shows that God’s plan always provides what we need.

The readings for Saturday of the 5th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 call us to trust in God and avoid sin. They show His love for us and remind us to follow Him with our whole hearts.

The readings for Saturday of the 5th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 guide us to reflect on trust, faithfulness, and God’s care. The first reading warns about the dangers of idolatry, while the Gospel shows how Jesus meets both physical and spiritual needs. Together, they call us to trust in God and avoid anything that takes us away from Him.

The Dangers of Idolatry

The first reading for Saturday of the 5th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 warns us about the dangers of idolatry. Jeroboam creates idols because he fears losing control over his people. Instead of trusting God, he turns to man-made solutions. This leads to sin and harm for himself and those he leads.

Idolatry is not just about worshiping statues. Modern idolatry includes anything we put above God. It could be money, power, success, or even entertainment. When we make these things the most important part of our lives, we lose focus on what really matters.

We can learn from Jeroboam’s mistake. When we are tempted to rely on other things instead of trusting God, we should pause and pray. Putting God first leads to peace and a strong foundation for life.

God’s Care for All

In the Gospel for Saturday of the 5th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, Jesus feeds a large crowd with just a few loaves and fish. The people are hungry, and the disciples don’t know how to help. Jesus takes what they have, blesses it, and provides enough for everyone. This shows that God cares for our physical and spiritual needs.

We often face situations where we feel we don’t have enough—whether it’s time, resources, or energy. Like the disciples, we can doubt how things will work out. But God asks us to trust Him and offer what little we have. He can do more than we expect.

This story reminds us to trust God’s care. He sees our needs and provides in ways we may not understand. It also encourages us to look for ways to help others, trusting that God can use even our small efforts to make a difference.

Trust and Faithfulness

Both the first reading and the Gospel for Saturday of the 5th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 remind us to trust God and stay faithful to Him. Jeroboam turns to idols because he is afraid, but this choice leads to sin and destruction. In the Gospel, the disciples also face uncertainty when they wonder how to feed the crowd. But instead of turning away, they bring what they have to Jesus, who provides for everyone.

Fear and doubt can lead us down the wrong path. Like Jeroboam, we may try to solve problems on our own and lose sight of God. But the Gospel shows a better way. When we trust God and stay faithful, He can work in our lives in ways we never expected.

Faithfulness means putting God first, even when things seem hard or unclear. The readings encourage us to stay close to Him in prayer and trust His plan. This brings hope and peace, even in difficult times.

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As we reflect on Saturday of the 5th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, let us remember to put God first in our lives. Trusting Him and staying faithful brings peace and strength, even when life feels uncertain. May these reflections inspire us to draw closer to God in faith and love.

Prayer

Loving God, help us trust You in all things. Teach us to avoid anything that takes us away from You. Strengthen our faith when we are weak, and guide us to care for others as You care for us. May we always seek to follow Your ways with our whole hearts. Amen.

Reflection Questions

• Are there things in your life that take the place of God?
• How can you trust God more when you face uncertainty?
• What small blessings in your life remind you of God’s care?
• How can you share what you have to help others in need?

USCCB Reflection: Leadership and Compassion

This USCCB video reflection for Saturday of the 5th Week in Ordinary Time contrasts the callous leadership of King Jeroboam with the compassionate response of Jesus in the Gospel. Jeroboam, seeking to maintain control, leads his people into idolatry, reminiscent of Marie Antoinette’s alleged disregard for her starving subjects. In stark contrast, Jesus, the true King, sees the people’s needs and miraculously provides bread, not cake, symbolizing genuine leadership and the essence of Christianity. It calls us to emulate Jesus’ humility and care, fulfilling the deep needs of those around us with genuine compassion.

What date is Saturday of the 5th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

The next date is Saturday February 14, 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 Saturday of the 5th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1.

What are the Mass readings for Saturday of the 5th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

The Mass readings for Saturday February 14, 2026 are:
First Reading  – 1 Kings 12:26-32; 13:33-34: Jeroboam’s Idolatry
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 106: Remembering Past Faithlessness
Gospel – Mark 8:1-10: Compassion and Provision

What does the first reading teach about worshiping God?

The first reading for Saturday of the 5th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 warns against false worship. It shows that turning to idols or anything other than God leads to sin and harm.

Why did Jeroboam make idols?

Jeroboam made idols because he feared losing his power. This teaches us not to let fear lead us away from trusting God.

What happens when people ignore God’s warnings?

In the first reading, Jeroboam ignored God’s warnings and continued to sin. This shows that refusing to change leads to serious consequences.

Why should we avoid idolatry in our lives?

Idolatry places something above God, whether it is money, power, or pleasure. The first reading for Saturday of the 5th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 reminds us that this always leads to harm.

How can we stay faithful to God?

We can stay faithful to God by praying, trusting Him, and avoiding things that take our focus away from Him. The readings show that staying close to God brings true peace.

Why does Jesus feed the crowd in the Gospel?

In the Gospel for Saturday of the 5th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, Jesus feeds the crowd because He sees their hunger and cares for them. This reminds us that God is aware of our needs and helps us in both small and big ways.

What lesson can we learn from the disciples in the Gospel?

The disciples doubted how they could feed the crowd with so little food. This teaches us to trust God, even when situations seem impossible.

How does the Gospel show God’s generosity?

Jesus multiplies the food to feed everyone with plenty left over. This shows that God’s care goes beyond what we can imagine.

What does the Gospel teach about gratitude?

The crowd in the Gospel relies on Jesus for their food. This reminds us to be grateful for the blessings we receive each day.

How do these readings help us in daily life?

The readings for Saturday of the 5th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 remind us to trust God in hard times and avoid sin. They encourage us to live faithfully and rely on God’s care.