Daily Mass Readings for February 19, 2026

Liturgical Day: Thursday after Ash Wednesday

First Reading: Deuteronomy 30:15-20

Moses said to the people: “Today I have set before you life and prosperity, death and doom. If you obey the commandments of the LORD, your God, which I enjoin on you today, loving him, and walking in his ways, and keeping his commandments, statutes and decrees, you will live and grow numerous, and the LORD, your God, will bless you in the land you are entering to occupy.

If, however, you turn away your hearts and will not listen, but are led astray and adore and serve other gods, I tell you now that you will certainly perish; you will not have a long life on the land that you are crossing the Jordan to enter and occupy. I call heaven and earth today to witness against you: I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse.

Choose life, then, that you and your descendants may live, by loving the LORD, your God, heeding his voice, and holding fast to him. For that will mean life for you, a long life for you to live on the land that the LORD swore he would give to your fathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.”

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6

Response: Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.

Blessed the man who follows not the counsel of the wicked Nor walks in the way of sinners, nor sits in the company of the insolent, But delights in the law of the LORD and meditates on his law day and night.

R. Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.

He is like a tree planted near running water, That yields its fruit in due season, and whose leaves never fade. Whatever he does, prospers.

R. Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.

Not so the wicked, not so; they are like chaff which the wind drives away. For the LORD watches over the way of the just, but the way of the wicked vanishes.

R. Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.

Alleluia: Matthew 4:17

Repent, says the Lord; the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Gospel: 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 world yet lose or forfeit himself?”

Applying the Readings to Daily Life: A Story and Example

Today's readings, on this Thursday after Ash Wednesday, underscore the Lenten call to choose life through obedience to God, hope in Him amid trials, repentance, and daily self-denial in following Christ. Moses presents the stark choice between blessing and curse, the psalm blesses those rooted in God's law like fruitful trees, and Jesus demands taking up one's cross, warning against worldly gains at the soul's expense.

Picture Marcus, a 45-year-old real estate agent in San Antonio, thriving in the booming housing market but at the cost of his well-being and relationships. Like the choices in Deuteronomy, Marcus faced daily forks: chasing high-commission deals that meant skipping family time or ethical shortcuts versus prioritizing integrity and presence. Overworked and distant, he "gained the world" with a fancy truck and vacations but felt empty, his marriage straining under neglect.

This Lent, after receiving ashes yesterday, Marcus reflected on Jesus' words during a quiet moment at the San Antonio Missions. He chose to "deny himself" by fasting from overtime, using that time for daily Mass and volunteering at a local food bank, taking up his cross of vulnerability by apologizing to his wife and kids. Months later, his business steadied ethically, and his family bonds flourished, proving that losing "life" for Christ's sake brought true abundance.

Practical Example for Today: In San Antonio's dynamic blend of history and growth, especially during Lent with its vibrant traditions, apply these readings by consciously choosing "life" in small decisions. When tempted by distractions like endless scrolling or overindulgence, heed the Alleluia's call to repent: Pause and meditate on Scripture for 10 minutes, rooting yourself like the psalm's tree. If a challenge arises—perhaps stress from traffic on I-35 or a work dilemma—embrace it as your daily cross, denying self by responding with patience instead of anger. Share blessings quietly, like helping a neighbor without fanfare, focusing on eternal profit over temporary gains. This fosters spiritual growth, inviting God's blessings into your routine.