Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: February 19,2026

Date: Thursday after Ash Wednesday

Scripture Text:   Luke 9:22-25

Jesus said to his disciples:

“The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised.”

Then he said to all, “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. What profit is there for one to gain the whole worldyet lose or forfeit himself?”

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

In today’s gospel, Jesus predicts his passion, death, and resurrection and then sets forth for us, His followers, the path our lives will need to take if we are to be His disciples.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

On this second day of my Lenten journey, am I actively denying myself so that I have more room in my mind and heart for Christ and for the demands of discipleship?

Praying:

LORD,  Almighty Father, we come to You this day, full of praise for You and all goodness that is and thanksgiving for our lives and for the promise of life with You in abundance. Send your Spirit to open our minds and hearts fully to your only-begotten Son, “the way and the truth and the life” so that we might come to know You more clearly and come to love You more deeply. Grant that we may follow your Beloved Son’s command for our journey in Him, with Him, and through Him. Help us to deny ourselves, to pick up our own crosses, and to follow Him daily. We ask this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Spirit, one LORD, forever and ever. Amen.