ASH WEDNESDAY: THE BEGINNING OF LENT.

ASH WEDNESDAY - FIRST DAY OF LENT.

THE GOSPEL:

"Jesus said to his disciples: “Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father.

"When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win the praise of others. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing, so that your almsgiving may be secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.

“When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners so that others may see them. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.

“When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites. They neglect their appearance, so that they may appear to others to be fasting. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you may not appear to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.” (Matthew 6: 1 - 16, 16 - 18).

Wednesday February 18, 2026. The First Day of Lent.

"Remember, man, you are dust and to dust you will return."

Welcome to Ash Wednesday 2026, the beginning of the holy Season of Lent.

“Lent is a time of truth. Christians, called by the Church to prayer, penance, fasting and self‑sacrifice, place themselves before God and recognize themselves; they rediscover themselves.” — St. John Paul II, Message for Lent 1981.

Let us reflect on four key messages from today's Ash Wednesday Scripture Readings.

#1. "Yet even now—oracle of the Lord—return to me with your whole heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Rend your hearts, not your garments, and return to the Lord, your God, For he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love, and relenting in punishment." (Joel 2: 12 - 13).

#2. " A clean heart create for me, O God, and a steadfast spirit renew within me. Cast me not out from your presence, and your Holy Spirit take not from me." (Psalm 51: 12 - 13).

#3. "We are ambassadors for Christ, as if God were appealing through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God." (2 Corinthians 5: 20).

#4. "When you give alms..." (Matthew 6: 2).

“When you pray ... " (Matthew 6: 5).

"But when you fast..."

..(Matthew 6: 6).

"Lent is a forty‑day season of conversion, “a period of spiritual ‘combat’ which we must experience alongside Jesus… using the arms of faith: prayer, listening to the word of God and penance."

Conclusion: Lent is about Metanoia, Conversion. Lent is about turning back to God through almsgiving, fasting and prayer. Lent is about evangelization through being ambassador for Christ.

Finally, Lent is about emerging at Easter with a holy, steadfast and new spirit.

The 40 day period of Lent is God's gift to us to become New Creation.

The Church honors the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph in February.

"In the Holy Family, Mary is the heart, the source of love. Through her, the Holy Spirit poured forth the grace that sustained the Savior of the world." (St. Ambrose)

For Devotional prayer and prayer intentions to the Holy Family, click the link below:

Click the link below for prayer intentions, etc

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/01/the-holy-family-devotion.html