Time of Transformation

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary, today, share the traditional Word that invites us to embrace our opportunity to join our community and millions of believers in the Divine promise of renewal that comes from prayer, almsgiving, and fasting in the upcoming weeks.

Prayer, Almsgiving, and Fasting

The Reading from the Book of Joel implores a Return to the Lord as the Lord Relents.

* [2:14] Blessing: the rain that makes possible the grapes and grain (v. 19) that workers will process into Temple offerings.

* [2:16] Elderly…infants…bridegroom…bride: Jerusalem is in such great danger that even those normally excused from fasting or working are called upon to participate in activities to ward off the imminent catastrophe.

* [2:17] Between the porch and the altar: the priests stood in the open space between the outdoor altar for burnt offerings and the Temple building.

* [2:18] Jealous: the Hebrew word describes the passionate empathetic bond the Lord has with Israel. The people’s wholehearted participation in Joel’s call for fasting and prayer sparks the Lord’s longing to protect and love his people Israel. This desire moves him to withhold punishment and to send the blessing of v. 14 instead. (Joel, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 51 prays for the removal of the personal and social disorders that sin has brought.

* [Psalm 51] A lament, the most famous of the seven Penitential Psalms, prays for the removal of the personal and social disorders that sin has brought. The poem has two parts of approximately equal length: Ps 51:3–10 and Ps 51:11–19, and a conclusion in Ps 51:20–21. The two parts interlock by repetition of “blot out” in the first verse of each section (Ps 51:3, 11), of “wash (away)” just after the first verse of each section (Ps 51:4) and just before the last verse (Ps 51:9) of the first section, and of “heart,” “God,” and “spirit” in Ps 51:12, 19. The first part (Ps 51:3–10) asks deliverance from sin, not just a past act but its emotional, physical, and social consequences. The second part (Ps 51:11–19) seeks something more profound than wiping the slate clean: nearness to God, living by the spirit of God (Ps 51:12–13), like the relation between God and people described in Jer 31:33–34. Nearness to God brings joy and the authority to teach sinners (Ps 51:15–16). Such proclamation is better than offering sacrifice (Ps 51:17–19). The last two verses express the hope that God’s good will toward those who are cleansed and contrite will prompt him to look favorably on the acts of worship offered in the Jerusalem Temple (Ps 51:19 [20–21]). (Joel, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Reading from the Second Letter of Paul to the Corinthians proclaims the Ministry of Reconciliation and shares The Experience of the Ministry.

* [5:18–21] Paul attempts to explain the meaning of God’s action by a variety of different categories; his attention keeps moving rapidly back and forth from God’s act to his own ministry as well. Who has reconciled us to himself: i.e., he has brought all into oneness. Not counting their trespasses: the reconciliation is described as an act of justification (cf. “righteousness,” 2 Cor 5:21); this contrasts with the covenant that condemned (2 Cor 3:8). The ministry of reconciliation: Paul’s role in the wider picture is described: entrusted with the message of reconciliation (2 Cor 5:19), he is Christ’s ambassador, through whom God appeals (2 Cor 5:20a). In v. 20b Paul acts in the capacity just described.

* [5:21] This is a statement of God’s purpose, expressed paradoxically in terms of sharing and exchange of attributes. As Christ became our righteousness (1 Cor 1:30), we become God’s righteousness (cf. 2 Cor 5:14–15). (2 Corinthians, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB, n.d.)

* [6:1] Not to receive…in vain: i.e., conform to the gift of justification and new creation. The context indicates how this can be done concretely: become God’s righteousness (2 Cor 5:21), not live for oneself (2 Cor 5:15) be reconciled with Paul (2 Cor 6:11–13; 7:2–3).

* [6:2] In an acceptable time: Paul cites the Septuagint text of Is 49:8; the Hebrew reads “in a time of favor”; it is parallel to “on the day of salvation.” Now: God is bestowing favor and salvation at this very moment, as Paul is addressing his letter to them. (2 Corinthians, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Sermon on the Mount from the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus is Teaching About Almsgiving, Prayer, and Fasting

* [6:1–18] The sermon continues with a warning against doing good in order to be seen and gives three examples, almsgiving (Mt 6:2–4), prayer (Mt 6:5–15), and fasting (Mt 6:16–18). In each, the conduct of the hypocrites (Mt 6:2) is contrasted with that demanded of the disciples. The sayings about reward found here and elsewhere (Mt 5:12, 46; 10:41–42) show that this is a genuine element of Christian moral exhortation. Possibly to underline the difference between the Christian idea of reward and that of the hypocrites, the evangelist uses two different Greek verbs to express the rewarding of the disciples and that of the hypocrites; in the latter case it is the verb apechō, a commercial term for giving a receipt for what has been paid in full (Mt 6:2, 5, 16).

* [6:2] The hypocrites: the scribes and Pharisees, see Mt 23:13, 15, 23, 25, 27, 29. The designation reflects an attitude resulting not only from the controversies at the time of Jesus’ ministry but from the opposition between Pharisaic Judaism and the church of Matthew. They have received their reward: they desire praise and have received what they were looking for. (Matthew, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB, n.d.)

Candice Tucci, OSF, comments that there is an urgency that the prophet Joel presents. He had a passion to bring people back into a right relationship with God. Blow the trumpet, proclaim a fast, call an assembly; gather the people, notify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, etc. His words are for us. There is an urgency in our time for there is much to be restored in our world that is torn apart with wars, displacement of peoples, hunger, quest for power, tyrants, (some who think they are gods), violence, and lack of compassion.

Pope Francis wrote in Laudato Si’, We have to dare to speak of the integrity of human life, of the need to promote and unify all the great values. Once we lose our humility, and become enthralled with the possibility of limitless mastery over everything, we inevitably end up harming society and the environment. #224

There appears a steady decline in humanity as Joel observed of his time, 400 years before Christ. Relationships on many levels, whether they be personal, familial, or global, breaches are to be mended, and life held sacred. It is a time for reconciliation. Restore humanity to its sacred dignity. We can do this with the grace and mercy of God. We can do this because we are the expression of God’s love. Be merciful, God, for we have sinned. –Psalm 51 (Tucci, 2026)

Don Schwager quotes “Lent - the epitome of our whole life,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 AD.

"Christians must always live in this way, without any wish to come down from their cross - otherwise they will sink beneath the world's mire. But if we have to do so all our lives, we must make an even greater effort during the days of Lent. It is not a simple matter of living through forty days. Lent is the epitome of our whole life." (excerpt from Sermon 205, 1) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Joel 2:12-18 exhorts us to follow God’s call from today’s first reading and turn to the Lord . . . even now (Joel 2:12).

Even now. You don’t have to get everything exactly right or deny yourself for forty days before he answers you. Just “rend your heart” before the Lord (Joel 2:13). Reach out your arms to him. Cry out to him, even wordlessly. If all you can muster is a heartfelt “Father! Forgive!” he’ll come running to you and gather you into his embrace.

If we only knew how much our Father loves us, we would never hesitate to come to him. So turn to the Lord this Lent and ask him to change your heart. Even now.

“Here I am, Lord! I need your mercy today!” (Meditation on Joel 2:12-18, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler reflects on the texts of Ash Wednesday. Joel calls a fast as he recognizes the people deserve the punishment that is to come upon them even as he implores God to turn back their punishment. In the Second Letter to the Corinthians, Paul declares now is the appropriate time to use the opportunity, today, to address the disorder in our lives. In the Gospel of Matthew, from the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus responds to the concern of the people that  after the temple is destroyed what would replace the sacrifice of the animal in the temple to forgive sins through the blood of the animal. The rabbis advise alms, prayer, and fasting. Friar Jude comments on how we parse Jesus' advice to not publicly display our almsgiving, fasting, and prayer and His description of our good deeds as a lamp that shines for the public to see. When we witness to faith to give an example without seeking praise and acknowledgement, we are in accord with Jesus' way.

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces CAC guest faculty member Belden Lane who recalls a recent experience of finding healing in the desert. Lane went to the desert, hoping to connect with John and in some way relieve the suffering he imagined John was experiencing at having his life cut short.

As I sat there, my mind wandered back to the hospital room on the night of John’s death. The end had come at three o’clock in the morning when he finally stopped breathing. I’d wanted to stay with him for the rest of the night. I hated the thought of strangers putting my son on a tray and wheeling him away into the morgue alone. I knew I should have stayed there until dawn, but … we were all exhausted. We went home.

And then it struck me.… On the ridge I could still do this. I might be over a year late, but I could still be faithful, waiting alongside John’s body, not turning away from his death. So that’s what I did, staying awake through the rest of the night, keeping vigil with John. Within an hour or so, I noticed … a full moon was rising over the ridge behind me, casting a soft slate gray light on the mesa’s rim, going down the mesa as the moon rose behind me. It was cold and death-like but beautiful, like the paleness of my son’s body drained of life as I was able to sit with him. It was also for me, at the time, the body of Christ, as it were. John, Jesus had come to assure me with [the mystic] Julian of Norwich, was fine. He was more than fine…. (Rohr, 2025)

We implore the Spirit to open our hearts and minds to the discipline of Lent that is a time to embrace giving to share our support, prayer to connect us to the wisdom and consolation of God, and separation from the habits and distractions that are obstacles to our renewal in contemplation and action.

References

Joel, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved February 18, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/joel/2?12 

Matthew, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved February 18, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/6?1 

Meditation on Joel 2:12-18. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved February 18, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/02/16/1500523/ 

Psalms, PSALM 51 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved February 18, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/51?3 

Rohr, R. (2025, March 13). Healing in the Desert. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved February 18, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/healing-in-the-desert/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). When You Pray, Fast, and Give Alms. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved February 18, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

Tucci, C. (2026, February 18). Daily Reflection February 18, 2026 | Creighton Online Ministries. Creighton Online Ministries. Retrieved February 18, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-february-18-2026 

2 Corinthians, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved February 18, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/2corinthians/5?20 

2 Corinthians, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved February 18, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/2corinthians/6 

Going With You

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to recall the joy and gratitude we have experienced in the hospitality of others as we extend our hospitality to the people we encounter on our Way.

Let Us Go with You

The Reading from the Prophet Zechariah is from the Seven Oracles: Judah and Zion Restored

m. [8:23] 1 Sm 15:27; Tb 13:11. (Zechariah, CHAPTER 8, n.d.)

Psalm 87 is a song of Zion.

* [Psalm 87] A song of Zion, like Ps 46; 48; 76; 132.

* [87:2] The gates: the city itself, a common Hebrew idiom.

* [87:5–6] The bond between the exile and the holy city was so strong as to override the exile’s citizenship of lesser cities. (Psalms, PSALM 87, n.d.)

The Gospel of Luke describes Jesus Departure for Jerusalem and Samaritan Inhospitality.

* [9:51–55] Just as the Galilean ministry began with a rejection of Jesus in his hometown, so too the travel narrative begins with the rejection of him by Samaritans. In this episode Jesus disassociates himself from the attitude expressed by his disciples that those who reject him are to be punished severely. The story alludes to 2 Kgs 1:10, 12 where the prophet Elijah takes the course of action Jesus rejects, and Jesus thereby rejects the identification of himself with Elijah.

* [9:51] Days for his being taken up: like the reference to his exodus in Lk 9:31 this is probably a reference to all the events (suffering, death, resurrection, ascension) of his last days in Jerusalem. He resolutely determined: literally, “he set his face.”

* [9:52] Samaritan: Samaria was the territory between Judea and Galilee west of the Jordan river. For ethnic and religious reasons, the Samaritans and the Jews were bitterly opposed to one another (see Jn 4:9). (Luke, CHAPTER 9, n.d.)

Rev. Elvin Cardoso, SJ, comments that we often wonder how to bring others to faith, especially in a world where many walk away from God, or never consider Him at all.

The answer is found in Zechariah’s vision: “Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.” When we live lives rooted in love, peace, integrity, and prayer, we become dwelling places of the Lord.

But the reverse is also true. If our lives are marked by anger, judgment, gossip, or hypocrisy, then we become stumbling blocks rather than signposts. The Gospel warns us that the temptation to condemn those who reject or misunderstand us is strong. Jesus shows a better way. He simply walks on, always offering peace, always leaving the door open for grace to do its hidden work.

Let our prayer be this: Lord, help me live in such a way that others will say, “Let us go with you, for we have seen that God is with you.” And when I face rejection, help me to walk on in peace, trusting that every village, every soul, is part of Your saving plan. (Cardoso, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “Jesus gave power and authority to his apostles,” by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD)

"It would be false to affirm that our Savior did not know what was about to happen, because he knows all things. He knew, of course, that the Samaritans would not receive his messengers. There can be no doubt of this. Why then did he command them to go before him? It was his custom to benefit diligently the holy apostles in every possible way, and because of this, it was his practice sometimes to test them... What was the purpose of this occurrence? He was going up to Jerusalem, as the time of his passion was already drawing near. He was about to endure the scorn of the Jews. He was about to be destroyed by the scribes and Pharisees and to suffer those things that they inflicted upon him when they went to accomplish all of violence and wicked boldness. He did not want them to be offended when they saw him suffering. He also wanted them to be patient and not to complain greatly, although people would treat them rudely. He, so to speak, made the Samaritans' hatred a preparatory exercise in the matter. They had not received the messengers... For their benefit, he rebuked the disciples and gently restrained the sharpness of their wrath, not permitting them to grumble violently against those who sinned. He rather persuaded them to be patient and to cherish a mind that is unmovable by anything like this."(excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 56) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Zechariah 8:20-23 notes that Zechariah ministered during the period after the exiles had returned to Jerusalem, when the Lord was asking them to rebuild the Temple. He was called to try to rouse them to keep up with the work. It wasn’t that they had to rebuild the Temple; they got to do it!

This truth can change your perspective; it can bring you joy and zeal. Other people will see it and want to join you! Because, as Zechariah described, the most attractive witness is someone who loves to be with the Lord.

“Lord, thank you for welcoming me every time I pray. May my life reflect your love to everyone I meet.” (Meditation on Zechariah 8:20-23, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that Zachariah notes the people of the nations have decided to go to Jerusalem. This introduces universality, a God for all the nations. The Chosen people are to give good witness, like we are called to do by giving examples of the message we preach. In Luke, Jesus' journey to Jerusalem is very long; ten chapters. This was Jesus' main mission. The disciples were not received well in Samaria. The people believed that God was housed in their mount not in Jerusalem. Friar Jude reminds us that Jesus has come for all nations.

Fr. Mike Schmitz continues discussing the call of Nehemiah and how we should approach the work the Lord calls us to do. He explains why all work is divine participation in God’s Kingdom on earth and encourages us to remember our service to God and to others, keeping our focus on serving and loving in the realm of our influence. Today’s readings are Nehemiah 3, Zechariah 14, and Proverbs 20:23-26.

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, comments that for Francis of Assisi, divesting himself from privilege was a gospel-inspired action, one that we are invited to consider today. 

Relinquishment as a call and a gift means giving up prestige and privilege, learning to listen and to accept criticism, and learning how to use our power differently and ultimately to share our power. At the very least our task as non-poor is to share the power available to us—our resources of wealth, education, influence, and access—with those who have been denied these things. This is not charity or noblesse oblige. It is a fundamental letting go to allow the very structures that benefit us to be transformed.

The way of relinquishment is the lifelong process of removing the obstacles to loving and just relationships with our neighbors on this earth and of moving toward more genuine community among all of God’s children and indeed among all of earth’s creatures and elements, the kind of sisterhood and brotherhood envisioned by Francis. As we help remove the obstacles to the liberation of others, we are simultaneously removing obstacles to our own liberation…. (Rohr, n.d.) 

As we ponder the way to motivate the “Go with You” response we ask the Spirit to open our hearts and minds to extend hospitality to all people.

References

Cardoso, E. (n.d.). Daily Reflection. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved September 30, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-september-30-2025 

Luke, CHAPTER 9. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved September 30, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/9?51 

Meditation on Zechariah 8:20-23. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved September 30, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/09/29/1392913/ 

Psalms, PSALM 87. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved September 30, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/87?1 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. The Invitation to Relinquishment. Retrieved September 30, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/the-invitation-to-relinquishment/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. DailyScripture.net. Retrieved September 30, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=sep30 

Zechariah, CHAPTER 8. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved September 30, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/zechariah/8?20