Saturday, February 21, 2026

Opening Scripture

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:1-2

Opening Prayer

Blessed are You, O Lord, our God, the King of the universe, who gives rest to Your children and the promise of a new day. Amen.

Daily Bible Reading

John 2

On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.”

“Woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim.

Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.”

They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.”

What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him. After this he went down to Capernaum with his mother and brothers and his disciples. There they stayed for a few days.

When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple courts he found people selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!” His disciples remembered that it is written: “Zeal for your house will consume me.”

The Jews then responded to him, “What sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?” Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.”

They replied, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?” But the temple he had spoken of was his body. After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said. Then they believed the scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken.

Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, many people saw the signs he was performing and believed in his name. But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all people. He did not need any testimony about mankind, for he knew what was in each person.

Reflection  

Today’s reading recounts two significant events early in Jesus’ ministry, offering insight into His priorities and values. In one, He blesses. In the other, He condemns.

Jesus’ first miracle was fairly private, known only to his mother, some servants, and His first disciples. For John, this wasn’t just a miracle; it was a “sign,” highlighting its importance.

Though Jesus told His mother His “hour had not yet come,” He went ahead and launched His public ministry. Transforming water from purification jars into excellent wine symbolized His replacing the Old Covenant with the New Covenant.

Jewish wedding feasts often lasted several days. Running out of wine was a great embarrassment for the groom’s family. In this act, Jesus blessed the young couple and honored the institution of marriage. By creating as much as 180 gallons of superior wine, Jesus demonstrated His generosity and abundance.

After the wedding feast was over, Jesus took His family and His disciples to Capernaum, on the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee. This area would become His base of operation after He became alienated from His hometown of Nazareth.

When it was time for the Passover, Jesus traveled to Jerusalem. As He entered the Temple grounds, He found the outer Court of the Gentiles full of merchants selling “approved sacrifices” at premium prices, and the exchange rate for the Temple currency was outrageous!

What may have started as an honest convenience for pilgrims, had turned into a dishonest money-making scam. The worship of Almighty God had been highjacked by unscrupulous commerce. The religious leaders, who should have known better, had blessed the whole operation. Jesus’ condemnation of those who turned His Father’s house into a market was very public indeed.

Flourishing Habit

Character and Virtue

From the very beginning, we see that Jesus’ primary concern was to do the Father’s will. He didn’t want people to be impressed with what He did. He wanted them to believe in who He was! Obedience to God’s plan and fulfilling His mission was the primary concern.

As we’re transformed by the renewing of our minds, we understand more fully God’s good, pleasing, and perfect will. And once we discover it, we must seek to obey it.

What is one thing you can do today to show that you understand God’s good, pleasing and perfect will … and that you’re committed to obeying it?

Remember: Nothing changes until something changes!