Ash Wednesday February 18, 2026

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-28

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Be careful not to parade your good deeds before men to attract their notice; by doing this you will lose all reward from your Father in heaven.

Some 200 years after the death and resurrection of our Lord, the church got together to discuss a serious matter. By this time the celebration of Easter was very well established. Easter was celebrated for 50 days. Each of those 50 days of Easter until Pentecost was like one joyous day. So the church thought that given the importance of Easter we ought to have some days of preparation for it. It was decided that 3 days of preparation was adequate. And so Lent began. For 150 years we had 3 days of preparation, 3 days of intense prayer and fasting. Then in 350 AD. the church got together again and decided that 3 days was not enough. The period of Lent was extended to 40 days of preparation. 40 is another significant number in scripture. Jesus fasted for 40 days, the Israelites wandered for 40 years…

So since 350 AD we give ourselves 40 days of prayer, fasting and alms giving. Why are we doing this. These disciplines are not ends in themselves. They are vehicles to lead us somewhere. Using these vehicles we seek to RETURN to GOD. So if we are not returning by our disciplines the whole period becomes a joke. May I suggest a couple of things:

1. Say the Jesus Prayer. Lord Jesus Son of God have mercy on me a sinner. It is a simple prayer that brings us back to our breath. At the end of the day do the examination of conscious. This means stop before you lay down and see how the day went. Did you notice God.

2. Fast from gossip

3. Do acts of charity. Revisiting our giving to the church or your favorite charity is a good one too.

And make this a joyful lent!!!!!