February 2026

We are in the Season of Lent. For most of us who are accustomed to "give up" something, we might be surprised that the Lenten observance is actually an invitation. Read more here about an invitation to deepen your relationship with God.

"Even now, says the Lord, return to me with your whole heart." (Joel 2:12a) The prophet Joel summoned God's people with a strong call, complete with God's promise for the future, "I will pour out my spirit upon all mankind." (Joel 3:1a)

Let us not be distracted. We are invited to turn to God. In the first week of Lent alone, we are invited multiple times and in multiple ways.

Did you notice the invitations – the Lord's wishes – on Friday after Ash Wednesday?

”This, rather, is the fasting that I wish:

releasing those bound unjustly,

untying the thongs of the yoke;

Setting free the oppressed,

breaking every yoke;

Sharing your bread with the hungry,

sheltering the oppressed and the homeless;

Clothing the naked when you see them,

and not turning your back on your own." (Is.58:6,7)

Our acceptance of these invitations are followed by promised divine gifts:

"Then your light shall break forth like the dawn,

and your wound shall quickly be healed;

Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer,

you shall cry for help, and he will say: Here I am!" (Is.8a,9a.)

These invitations are free. Have you considered your RSVP?

We often think that God is silent or hidden or indifferent or distant. Here in these liturgical readings, through the words of the prophets, God promises us a personal relationship and to be the light of our life. When we say yes to God's invitation, his most begged- for- response is, "Here I am."

--Jan

During this season of Lent, how do we imagine the voice of God?

Is it the voice of an angry drill sergeant, constantly barking orders and berating us for our every shortcoming? I fear that all our talk of repentance may fuel such an image for many.

Or is it the voice of a friend, who, when we have stumbled and fallen, reaches down, saying “Here. Let me help you up. You’ll do better next time, and I’ll be with you along the way”?

More and more, I see Lent not as a season of confrontation (“You’d better shape up!”) but of invitation, an invitation to renewal and to growth. With that in mind, I think of John Bell’s hymn, “The Summons” as a perfect hymn for Lent:

Will you come and follow me if I but call your name?

Will you go where you don't know and never be the same?

As we enter this season of Lent, I offer this prayer (inspired by a shorter prayer by Brother Matthew of Taizé):

Eternal God, we seek your presence.

We would like to follow you with everything that we are,

but we know we often fall short.

May your Spirit of life

heal what is broken in us,

strengthen what is fragile in us,

and re-direct us whenever we wander from your way.

O God of compassion, may your love set us free.

-- Bill

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