Ash Wednesday – February 18, 2026– Sr. Betty Smoyer, SNDdeN
Matthew 6: 1-6, 16-18
We walk together into Lent today. At each day’s news, our hearts and souls lie in pieces on the floor.
We see the walls towering before us. And yet, we walk together into Lent today.
We carry the sinful burden of systemic “othering” of one another. Anger and hatred accompany us.
Their offspring, Fear, withers Love in the space within and between us.
“The human heart is the most important frontier to conquer in the struggle for human dignity.
Once the heart is softened, shifts in social norms are seen as logical and rational.”
Across that Bridge by John Lewis. p. 97
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Find a pause in the rhythm of your life. Sit quietly.
Slowly read the following passages. Which one(s) shimmer in your heart?
Pick one of the shimmering phrases and sit with it for a while in the quiet.
Repeat it during your day. Say it before you go to sleep tonight and when you wake up in the morning.
Carry it with you for the rest of this week, for the rest of Lent.
Wisdom 11. 24, 25-27
“…you have mercy on all, because you can do all things. You overlook people’s sins, that they may repent. For you love all things that are; and loathe nothing you have made; …. …you spare all things, because they are yours, O Lord and lover of souls. “
Prophet Joel 2:12-18
“Even now says the Lord, return to me with your whole heart, with fasting, and weeping, and mourning;
Rend your hearts, not your garments, and return to the Lord, your God. Gather the people….”
Psalm 51: 3,
“Have mercy, O God, in your goodness; in your abundant compassion blot out my offense. Wash away all my guilt; from my sin, cleanse me. I acknowledge my offense and my sin is before me always.”
2 Corinthians 5:20-6:2
“We are ambassadors for Christ, as if God were appealing through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”
“Working together, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. …Now is a very acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”
Gospel Acclamation – Psalm 98:5
“If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.”
Gospel: Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18
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.”
The Gospel of the Lord
Meet Sister Betty Smoyer, SNDdeN
