Homily: February 18, 2026 Ash Wednesday (Return to God)

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 “Return to the LORD, your God. For gracious and merciful is He, slow to anger, rich in kindness, and relenting in punishment.”

If you were to choose someone to be your BFF – Best Friend Forever - what qualities would you be looking for?

For me, one of the first qualities I would look for is kindness. I do not want someone who will be cruel and rough with me, or someone who would bully me or always get angry with me.

I am sure you would agree that it is easy to be long-time friends with someone who is patient, slow to anger, gracious, and merciful. We are drawn to people who forgive quickly, who do not keep scores, who love generously.

And today the prophet Joel tells us: that is exactly who God is: Gracious. Merciful. Slow to anger. Rich in kindness.

Yes, we are sinful people, we have done and might continue to do many things which are not pleasing to God. But the good news is God is not waiting to punish us. In fact, He is waiting for our friendship.

Many of us feel ashamed of ourselves when we do something wrong in a relationship, and then we walk out, we go away. We do that so often with God.

Lent is about returning. Come back. Reconcile. God, who truly loves us, does not hold our wrongs against us, is waiting for us to come back to Him.

The whole of our life is a journey towards God, but the Church puts Lent in the calendar to help us put aside this season to focus on coming home to God.

St. Paul tells us today: “Behold, now is a very acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”

Not tomorrow. Not when life is less busy. Not when you feel more worthy.

Now.

Today, from the depth of our heart, let us say: “Jesus, I want You. I want Your friendship. I want to come back to You.”

And the Father who sees what is hidden in your heart, who sees your quiet desire, your silent struggle, your sincere longing, He will open His arms to receive You.

Ash Wednesday is our response to God’s constant invitation, the ashes imposed on us, is a sign of our repentance, to turn back, to return to Him. He is already waiting.

Amen.


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