February 22, 2026
On Ash Wednesday, as you come forward and the priest places ashes on your forehead, you may hear the words, “Repent and believe in the Gospel.” They are simple words, spoken quietly, yet they carry great meaning.
In that moment, the priest is not judging or scolding. He is inviting. Those words are meant for all of us — for you, and for me. They are a reminder that God is always calling us back, always offering us another chance to begin again.
To repent does not mean to be crushed by guilt. It means to pause and ask ourselves, what needs to change in my life? Where am I being called to turn back toward God? Repentance is about direction. It is about choosing, once again, to walk the path of faith.
And then comes the second part: believe in the Gospel. This is where hope enters. The Gospel is good news — that God loves us as we are, but loves us too much to leave us unchanged. No matter how often we stumble, God’s mercy is always greater.
Lent gives us time to listen to that invitation more carefully. Through prayer, through Confession, through the Stations of the Cross, and through small acts of sacrifice and kindness, we respond to those Ash Wednesday words in our own lives.
As this Lenten season unfolds, I invite you to carry those words with you. Let them settle in your heart. Repent and believe in the Gospel. They are not a burden — they are a promise.
I remember you at Mass.
