by Norbert Doulanni | Feb 26, 2026 | Evangelium
ST. GABRIEL OF OUR LADY OF SORROW
SAINT GREGORY OF NAREK
Psalter I | VIOLET
He was educated by the Jesuits and initially displayed a keen interest in secular life. After facing personal tragedies, he experienced a profound conversion and felt a strong call to religious life. He was known for his deep devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Passion of Christ with a particular fondness for Our Lady of Sorrows. His spirit of prayer, love for the poor, and consideration for others made a deep impression on his community. He died from tuberculosis at the young age of 23.
Entrance Antiphon: Cf. Ps 24:17-18
Set me free from my distress, O Lord. See my lowliness and suffering, and take away all my sins.
Collect
Grant that your faithful, O Lord, we pray, may be so conformed to the paschal observances, that the bodily discipline now solemnly begun may bear fruit in the souls of all. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.
First reading: Ezekiel 18:21-28
Thus says the Lord God: If the wicked man turns away from all the sins he committed, if he keeps all my statutes and does what is right and just, he shall surely live, he shall not die. None of the crimes he committed shall be remembered against him; he shall live because of the virtue he has practiced. Do I indeed derive any pleasure from the death of the wicked? says the Lord God. Do I not rather rejoice when he turns from his evil way that he may live? And if the virtuous man turns from the path of virtue to do evil, the same kind of abominable things that the wicked man does, can he do this and still live? None of his virtuous deeds shall be remembered, because he has broken faith and committed sin; because of this, he shall die. You say, “The Lord’s way is not fair!” Hear now, house of Israel: Is it my way that is unfair, or rather, are not your ways unfair? When someone virtuous turns away from virtue to commit iniquity, and dies, it is because of the iniquity he committed that he must die. But if the wicked, turning from the wickedness he has committed, does what is right and just, he shall preserve his life; since he has turned away from all the sins that he committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 130:1-2, 3-4, 5-7a, 7bc-8
R/ If you, O Lord, mark iniquities, who can stand?
- Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord; Lord, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to my voice in supplication.
- If you, O Lord, mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand? But with you is forgiveness, that you may be revered.
- I trust in the Lord; my soul trusts in his word. My soul waits for the Lord more than sentinels wait for the dawn. Let Israel wait for the Lord.
- For with the Lord is kindness and with him is plenteous redemption; And he will redeem Israel from all their iniquities.
Saint Biography
He was educated by the Jesuits and initially displayed a keen interest in secular life. After facing personal tragedies, he experienced a profound conversion and felt a strong call to religious life. He was known for his deep devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Passion of Christ with a particular fondness for Our Lady of Sorrows. His spirit of prayer, love for the poor, and consideration for others made a deep impression on his community. He died from tuberculosis at the young age of 23.
Gospel Acclamation: Ezekiel 18:31
Cast away from you all the crimes you have committed, says the Lord, and make for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit.
Gospel: Matthew 5:20-26
Jesus said to his disciples: “I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the Kingdom of heaven. “You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment. But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment, and whoever says to his brother, Raqa, will be answerable to the Sanhedrin, and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ will be liable to fiery Gehenna. Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court. Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge, and the judge will hand you over to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Amen, I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.”
Prayer over the Offerings
Accept the sacrificial offerings, O Lord, by which, in your power and kindness, you willed us to be reconciled to yourself and our salvation to be restored. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Ez 33:11
As I live, says the Lord, I do not desire the death of the sinner, but rather that he turn back and live.
Prayer after Communion
May the holy refreshment of your Sacrament restore us anew, O Lord, and, cleansing us of old ways, take us up into the mystery of salvation. Through Christ our Lord.
Prayer over the People
Look with favour on your people, O Lord, that what their observance outwardly declares it may inwardly bring about. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
“Go and be reconciled with your brother.” It is easy to think that the fifth commandment, “You must not kill”, does not concern you, because you have never killed anyone. If you stop at this level, then you are like the scribes and Pharisees, who paid attention to the words of the Law and did not embrace the spirit of the Law. Embracing the spirit of this commandment means going beyond the act of killing to look at those thoughts, intentions, words and acts that hurt others and poison your relationship with them. The anger, resentment and jealousy that you feel, which make you insult a person, tell lies about him, tarnish his reputation and make life difficult for him, make you a murderer; you have killed that person in your heart. The fifth commandment therefore requires you to rid your heart of those evil thoughts and motives. It requires you to approach that person you are angry with or who is angry with you, and make peace with him. Take the resolution today to cleanse your heart of all evil intentions and ameliorate your relationship with those around you.
by Norbert Doulanni | Feb 25, 2026 | Evangelium
SAINT ALEXANDER OF ALEXANDRIA
Psalter I | VIOLET
He served as the Bishop of Alexandria. He fought against the growing influence of Arianism. He excommunicated Arius, the leader of the Arian heresy and played a key role in the First Council of Nicaea, where the Nicene Creed was formulated, affirming the divinity of Jesus Christ. He was admired for his love of God, eloquence, and justice, according to contemporary accounts.
Entrance Antiphon: Cf. Ps 5: 2-3
To my words give ear, O Lord; give heed to my sighs. Attend to the sound of my cry, my King and my God.
Collect
Bestow on us, we pray, O Lord, a spirit of always pondering on what is right and of hastening to carry it out, and, since without you we cannot exist, may we be enabled to live according to your will. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.
First reading: Esther C:12, 14-16, 23-25
Queen Esther, seized with mortal anguish, had recourse to the Lord. She lay prostrate upon the ground, together with her handmaids, from morning until evening, and said: “God of Abraham, God of Isaac, and God of Jacob, blessed are you. Help me, who am alone and have no help but you, for I am taking my life in my hand. As a child I used to hear from the books of my forefathers that you, O Lord, always free those who are pleasing to you. Now help me, who am alone and have no one but you, O Lord, my God. “And now, come to help me, an orphan. Put in my mouth persuasive words in the presence of the lion and turn his heart to hatred for our enemy, so that he and those who are in league with him may perish. Save us from the hand of our enemies; turn our mourning into gladness and our sorrows into wholeness.”
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 138:1-2ab, 2cde-3, 7c-8
R/ Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me.
- I will give thanks to you, O Lord, with all my heart, for you have heard the words of my mouth; in the presence of the angels I will sing your praise; I will worship at your holy temple and give thanks to your name.
- Because of your kindness and your truth; for you have made great above all things nyour [sic] name and your promise. When I called, you answered me; you built up strength within me.
- Your right hand saves me. The Lord will complete what he has done for me; your kindness, O Lord, endures forever; forsake not the work of your hands.
Saint Biography
He served as the Bishop of Alexandria. He fought against the growing influence of Arianism. He excommunicated Arius, the leader of the Arian heresy and played a key role in the First Council of Nicaea, where the Nicene Creed was formulated, affirming the divinity of Jesus Christ. He was admired for his love of God, eloquence, and justice, according to contemporary accounts.
Gospel Acclamation: Psalm 51:12a, 14a
A clean heart create for me, God; give me back the joy of your salvation.
Gospel: Matthew 7:7-12
Jesus said to his disciples: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Which one of you would hand his son a stone when he asked for a loaf of bread, or a snake when he asked for a fish? If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good things to those who ask him. “Do to others whatever you would have them do to you. This is the law and the prophets.”
Prayer over the Offerings
Be merciful, O Lord, to those who approach you in supplication, and, accepting the oblations and prayers of your people, turn the hearts of us all towards you. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Mt 7: 8
Everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
Prayer after Communion
We pray, O Lord our God, that, as you have given these most sacred mysteries to be the safeguard of our salvation, so you may make them a healing remedy for us, both now and in time to come. Through Christ our Lord.
Prayer over the People
May the mercy they have hoped for, O Lord, come to those who make supplication to you, and may the riches of heaven be given them, that they may know what it is right to ask and receive what they have sought. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
“Ask and, it will be given to you.” Jesus assures us that we will receive from our heavenly Father whatever we ask him. Many of us would disagree with this statement, because we can all cite instances in which we asked God for something and we did not receive it. Saint James provides a possible answer to this worry: “You do not have what you want because you do not ask for it. And when you ask, you do not receive it, because your motives are bad; you ask for things to use for your own pleasures” (James 4: 2 – 3). Sometimes, we do not receive what we ask for because we ask for the wrong things and our intentions are bad. We ask for things that are not necessary or important; we ask for things that can lead us away from God; we ask for things with the intention of satisfying desires that do not honour God. Clearly, it is not enough to ask; we also have to know what to ask. We should learn to ask God not for what we want, but for what he knows is good for us. In addition, we need to know how to ask; we should ask God with faith and perseverance, but also with humility, leaving him the freedom to answer us when and how he deems it best to do so.
by Norbert Doulanni | Feb 24, 2026 | Evangelium
SAINT ETHELBERT
Psalter I | VIOLET
He embraced Christianity and supported the Christian faith, but did not enforce conversions on his subjects. He founded the abbeys of Christ Church, Sts. Peter and Paul in Canterbury, and St. Andrew’s in Rochester. He played a pivotal role in the establishment of Christianity in England and is recognized as a saint in some traditions.
Entrance Antiphon: Cf. Ps 24:6, 2, 22
Remember your compassion, O Lord, and your merciful love, for they are from of old. Let not our enemies exult over us. Redeem us, O God of Israel, from all our distress.
Collect
Look kindly, Lord, we pray, on the devotion of your people, that those who by self-denial are restrained in body may by the fruit of good works be renewed in mind. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.
First reading: Jonah 3:1-10
The word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time: “Set out for the great city of Nineveh, and announce to it the message that I will tell you.” So Jonah made ready and went to Nineveh, according to the Lord’s bidding. Now Nineveh was an enormously large city; it took three days to go through it. Jonah began his journey through the city, and had gone but a single day’s walk announcing, “Forty days more and Nineveh shall be destroyed,” when the people of Nineveh believed God; they proclaimed a fast and all of them, great and small, put on sackcloth. When the news reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, laid aside his robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in the ashes. Then he had this proclaimed throughout Nineveh, by decree of the king and his nobles: “Neither man nor beast, neither cattle nor sheep, shall taste anything; they shall not eat, nor shall they drink water. Man and beast shall be covered with sackcloth and call loudly to God; every man shall turn from his evil way and from the violence he has in hand. Who knows, God may relent and forgive, and withhold his blazing wrath, so that we shall not perish.” When God saw by their actions how they turned from their evil way, he repented of the evil that he had threatened to do to them; he did not carry it out.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 51:3-4, 12-13, 18-19
R/ A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.
- Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness; in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense. Thoroughly wash me from my guilt and of my sin cleanse me.
- A clean heart create for me, O God, and a steadfast spirit renew within me. Cast me not out from your presence, and your Holy Spirit take not from me.
- For you are not pleased with sacrifices; should I offer a burnt offering, you would not accept it. My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit; a heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.
Saint Biography
He embraced Christianity and supported the Christian faith, but did not enforce conversions on his subjects. He founded the abbeys of Christ Church, Sts. Peter and Paul in Canterbury, and St. Andrew’s in Rochester. He played a pivotal role in the establishment of Christianity in England and is recognized as a saint in some traditions.
Gospel Acclamation: Joel 2:12-13
Even now, says the Lord, return to me with your whole heart for I am gracious and merciful.
Gospel: Luke 11:29-32
While still more people gathered in the crowd, Jesus said to them, “This generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it, except the sign of Jonah. Just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so will the Son of Man be to this generation. At the judgment the queen of the south will rise with the men of this generation and she will condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and there is something greater than Solomon here. At the judgment the men of Nineveh will arise with this generation and condemn it, because at the preaching of Jonah they repented, and there is something greater than Jonah here.”
Prayer over the Offerings
We offer to you, O Lord, what you have given to be dedicated to your name, that, just as for our benefit you make these gifts a Sacrament, so you may let them become for us an eternal remedy. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Cf. Ps 5: 12
All who take refuge in you shall be glad, O Lord, and ever cry out their joy, and you shall dwell among them.
Prayer after Communion
O God, who never cease to nourish us by your Sacrament, grant that the refreshment you give us through it may bring us unending life. Through Christ our Lord.
Prayer over the People
Watch over your people, Lord, and in your kindness cleanse them from all sins, for if evil has no dominion over them, no trial can do them harm. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
“A humbled, contrite heart you will not spurn.” Psalm 50(51) is the prayer of a sinner who humbly acknowledges his sin and sincerely asks God for forgiveness. This is the attitude that the people of Nineveh adopted when they heard Jonah’s preaching; they believed in God, fasted, prayed and changed their ways. This is the attitude that Jesus, unfortunately, did not see in the people of his generation; despite all his miracles and his teaching, they had not changed. Acknowledgement of our sinfulness and conversion are the first step to establishing communion with God. But quite often we refuse to take this step; we look for arguments to justify the wrong things we do; we are too proud to accept our faults in our relationships with others; we refuse to go for confession, and even when we go, sometimes we are not sincere. As long as we refuse to acknowledge our wrongdoing, humbly ask God for forgiveness, and sincerely strive to change, we can never come close to God. Let us pray for the grace of humble and contrite hearts.
by Norbert Doulanni | Feb 23, 2026 | Evangelium
SAINT JOHN THERISTUS, MONK
Psalter I | VIOLET
He was known for his faith, kindness, and helping with the harvest. He showed great faith during times of danger. He lived simply by praying, helping others, and working to feed the hungry and cared for the poor.
Entrance Antiphon: Cf. Ps 89:1-2
O Lord, you have been our refuge, from generation to generation; from age to age, you are.
Collect
Look upon your family, Lord, that, through the chastening effects of bodily discipline, our minds may be radiant in your presence with the strength of our yearning for you. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.
First reading: Isaiah 55:10-11
Thus says the Lord: Just as from the heavens the rain and snow come down And do not return there till they have watered the earth, making it fertile and fruitful, Giving seed to the one who sows and bread to the one who eats, So shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; It shall not return to me void, but shall do my will, achieving the end for which I sent it.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 34:4-5, 6-7, 16-17, 18-19
R/ From all their distress God rescues the just.
- Glorify the Lord with me, let us together extol his name. I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.
- Look to him that you may be radiant with joy, and your faces may not blush with shame. When the poor one called out, the Lord heard, and from all his distress he saved him.
- The Lord has eyes for the just, and ears for their cry. The Lord confronts the evildoers, to destroy remembrance of them from the earth.
- When the just cry out, the Lord hears them, and from all their distress he rescues them. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.
Saint Biography
He was known for his faith, kindness, and helping with the harvest. He showed great faith during times of danger. He lived simply by praying, helping others, and working to feed the hungry and cared for the poor.
Gospel Acclamation: Matthew 4:4b
One does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.
Gospel: Matthew 6:7-15
Jesus said to his disciples: “In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him. “This is how you are to pray: ‘Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.’ “If you forgive men their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive men, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.”
Prayer over the Offerings
Receive, O Creator, almighty God, what we bring from your bountiful goodness, and be pleased to transform this temporal sustenance you have given us, that it may bring us eternal life. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Cf. Ps 4: 2
When I called, the God of justice gave me answer; from anguish you released me; have mercy, O Lord, and hear my prayer!
Prayer after Communion
Grant us through these mysteries, Lord, that by moderating earthly desires we may learn to love the things of heaven. Through Christ our Lord.
Prayer over the People
May your faithful be strengthened, O God, by your blessing: in grief, may you be their consolation, in tribulation, their power to endure, and in peril, their protection. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
“Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.” Quite often, we recite the Our Father mechanically and do not pay attention to the words we pronounce and their implications. The above phrase, for instance, attaches the mercy we expect from God to the mercy we show to others. We cannot expect God to forgive our sins if we are not ready to forgive those who offend us. In our dealings with others, people say and do things that annoy us. We get into conflicts and have misunderstandings with our family members, colleagues, mates and friends. When these conflicts arise, our natural inclination is to bear grudges and look for ways to get back at those who have hurt us. But Jesus invites us to act differently. He tells us to remember that we offend God and others as well, and just as God is merciful and forgives us, we too should readily forgive those who hurt us. This is not an easy thing to do; after all, as the saying goes, to err is human and to forgive is divine. Let us therefore ask God for the grace to be able to forgive those who offend us.
by Norbert Doulanni | Feb 22, 2026 | Evangelium
SAINT POLYCARP, BISHOP AND MARTYR
Psalter I | VIOLET
Was a disciple of the Apostle John and learned directly from the apostles. He was ordained as bishop of Smyrna by John. He served as a patient and loving preacher, with a special concern for widows and slaves. He actively fought against various heretical groups and emphasized the importance of the Incarnation, death, and Resurrection of Christ. His writings, particularly the Letter to the Philippians, are valuable for understanding early Christian theology. He was arrested and charged with being a Christian. He was burned at the stake, but the flames miraculously did not consume him. He was then stabbed to death.
Entrance Antiphon: Cf. Ps 122:2-3
Like the eyes of slaves on the hand of their lords, so our eyes are on the Lord our God, till he show us his mercy. Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy.
Collect
Convert us, O God our Saviour, and instruct our minds by heavenly teaching, that we may benefit from the works of Lent. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever.
First reading: Leviticus 19:1-2, 11-18
The Lord said to Moses, “Speak to the whole assembly of the children of Israel and tell them: Be holy, for I, the Lord, your God, am holy. “You shall not steal. You shall not lie or speak falsely to one another. You shall not swear falsely by my name, thus profaning the name of your God. I am the Lord. “You shall not defraud or rob your neighbor. You shall not withhold overnight the wages of your day laborer. You shall not curse the deaf, or put a stumbling block in front of the blind, but you shall fear your God. I am the Lord. “You shall not act dishonestly in rendering judgment. Show neither partiality to the weak nor deference to the mighty, but judge your fellow men justly. You shall not go about spreading slander among your kin; nor shall you stand by idly when your neighbor’s life is at stake. I am the Lord. “You shall not bear hatred for your brother in your heart. Though you may have to reprove him, do not incur sin because of him. Take no revenge and cherish no grudge against your fellow countrymen. You shall love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.”
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 19:8, 9, 10, 15
R/ Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
- The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The decree of the Lord is trustworthy, giving wisdom to the simple.
- The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart. The command of the Lord is clear, enlightening the eye.
- The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever; The ordinances of the Lord are true, all of them just.
- Let the words of my mouth and the thought of my heart find favor before you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
Saint Biography
Was a disciple of the Apostle John and learned directly from the apostles. He was ordained as bishop of Smyrna by John. He served as a patient and loving preacher, with a special concern for widows and slaves. He actively fought against various heretical groups and emphasized the importance of the Incarnation, death, and Resurrection of Christ. His writings, particularly the Letter to the Philippians, are valuable for understanding early Christian theology. He was arrested and charged with being a Christian. He was burned at the stake, but the flames miraculously did not consume him. He was then stabbed to death.
Gospel Acclamation: 2 Corinthians 6:2b
Behold, now is a very acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
Gospel: Matthew 25:31-46
Jesus said to his disciples: “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne, and all the nations will be assembled before him. And he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous will answer him and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’ And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’ Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the Devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, a stranger and you gave me no welcome, naked and you gave me no clothing, ill and in prison, and you did not care for me.’ Then they will answer and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison, and not minister to your needs?’ He will answer them, ‘Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.’ And these will go off to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”
Prayer over the Offerings
May this devout oblation be acceptable to you, O Lord, that by your power it may sanctify our manner of life and gain for us your conciliation and pardon. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Mt 25:40, 34
Amen, I say to you: Whatever you did for one of the least of my brethren, you did it for me, says the Lord. Come, you blessed of my Father, receive the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
Prayer after Communion
We pray, O Lord, that, in receiving your Sacrament, we may experience help in mind and body so that, kept safe in both, we may glory in the fullness of heavenly healing. Through Christ our Lord.
Prayer over the People
Enlighten the minds of your people, Lord, we pray, with the light of your glory, that they may see what must be done and have the strength to do what is right. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
“You must love your neighbour as yourself.” The readings of today remind us that as Christians we are called to be holy like God our Father, and a true measure of holiness is how we treat the people we encounter. Our Lord exhorts us to treat everybody around us with love, and love entails concrete actions and attitudes: honesty, justice, fairness, impartiality, compassion and kindness. These virtues should define the way we relate with and treat others. Jesus teaches us that on the Last Day, we will be judged on love; the question we will have to answer is whether during our life on earth we loved God and loved our neighbour. God will ask us whether we fed the hungry, clothed the naked and comforted the lonely and abandoned. The Gospel makes it clear; we cannot claim to love God if we do not love those around us, because by reaching out to them we reach out to God, and by ignoring them we ignore God. Let us ask for God’s grace to open our eyes, so that we may see him in the people we encounter, and love him by loving them.
by Norbert Doulanni | Feb 21, 2026 | Evangelium
1st SUNDAY OF LENT
SAINT PETER’S CHAIR
SAINT ISABELLE
Psalter I | VIOLET
Entrance Antiphon: Cf. Ps 90:15-16
When he calls on me, I will answer him; I will deliver him and give him glory, I will grant him length of days.
Collect
Grant, almighty God, through the yearly observances of holy Lent, that we may grow in understanding of the riches hidden in Christ and by worthy conduct pursue their effects. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever.
First reading: Genesis 2:7-9; 3:1-7
The Lord God formed man out of the clay of the ground and blew into his nostrils the breath of life, and so man became a living being. Then the Lord God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and placed there the man whom he had formed. Out of the ground the Lord God made various trees grow that were delightful to look at and good for food, with the tree of life in the middle of the garden and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Now the serpent was the most cunning of all the animals that the Lord God had made. The serpent asked the woman, “Did God really tell you not to eat from any of the trees in the garden?” The woman answered the serpent: “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden; it is only about the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden that God said, ‘You shall not eat it or even touch it, lest you die.”‘ But the serpent said to the woman: “You certainly will not die! No, God knows well that the moment you eat of it your eyes will be opened and you will be like gods who know what is good and what is evil.” The woman saw that the tree was good for food, pleasing to the eyes, and desirable for gaining wisdom. So she took some of its fruit and ate it; and she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized that they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made loincloths for themselves.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 51:3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 17
R/Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.
- Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness; in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense. Thoroughly wash me from my guilt and of my sin cleanse me.
- For I acknowledge my offense, and my sin is before me always: “Against you only have I sinned, and done what is evil in your sight.”
- A clean heart create for me, O God, and a steadfast spirit renew within me. Cast me not out from your presence, and your Holy Spirit take not from me.
- Give me back the joy of your salvation, and a willing spirit sustain in me. O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.
Second reading: Romans 5:12-19
Brothers and sisters: Through one man sin entered the world, and through sin, death, and thus death came to all men, inasmuch as all sinned— for up to the time of the law, sin was in the world, though sin is not accounted when there is no law. But death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who did not sin after the pattern of the trespass of Adam, who is the type of the one who was to come. But the gift is not like the transgression. For if by the transgression of the one, the many died, how much more did the grace of God and the gracious gift of the one man Jesus Christ overflow for the many. And the gift is not like the result of the one who sinned. For after one sin there was the judgment that brought condemnation; but the gift, after many transgressions, brought acquittal. For if, by the transgression of the one, death came to reign through that one, how much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of justification come to reign in life through the one Jesus Christ. In conclusion, just as through one transgression condemnation came upon all, so, through one righteous act, acquittal and life came to all. For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so, through the obedience of the one, the many will be made righteous.
Gospel Acclamation: Matthew 4:4b
One does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.
Gospel: Matthew 4:1-11
At that time Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. He fasted for forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was hungry. The tempter approached and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become loaves of bread.” He said in reply, “It is written: One does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.” Then the devil took him to the holy city, and made him stand on the parapet of the temple, and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down. For it is written: He will command his angels concerning you and with their hands they will support you, lest you dash your foot against a stone.” Jesus answered him, “Again it is written, You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.” Then the devil took him up to a very high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in their magnificence, and he said to him, “All these I shall give to you, if you will prostrate yourself and worship me.” At this, Jesus said to him, “Get away, Satan! It is written: The Lord, your God, shall you worship and him alone shall you serve.” Then the devil left him and, behold, angels came and ministered to him.
Prayer over the Offerings
Give us the right dispositions, O Lord, we pray, to make these offerings, for with them we celebrate the beginning of this venerable and sacred time. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Mt 4: 4
One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.
Prayer after Communion
Renewed now with heavenly bread, by which faith is nourished, hope increased, and charity strengthened, we pray, O Lord, that we may learn to hunger for Christ, the true and living Bread, and strive to live by every word which proceeds from your mouth. Through Christ our Lord.
Prayer over the People
May bountiful blessing, O Lord, we pray, come down upon your people, that hope may grow in tribulation, virtue be strengthened in temptation, and eternal redemption be assured. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
“You will be like gods, knowing good and evil.” The three temptations of the devil in the Gospel are directed at our need for material subsistence, our inclination to show off our abilities, and our desire for material wealth, and power. In our efforts to satisfy these desires, we run the risk of trying to do everything it takes to achieve our goals, thus blurring the line between good and evil. And when we forget the distinction between good and evil, we push God away and become the sole custodians of our lives, deciding what is good or bad depending on what we want. Basically, this is what temptation is; it is an invitation to take the place of God and decide for ourselves what is good or bad. Just as the devil did with Adam and Eve, he incites us to reject God’s will in favour of our will. Jesus’ answer to the third temptation indicates how we can deal with temptation: “Worship the Lord your God, and serve him alone.” When we truly worship and serve God, we strive to do his will, and not our will or what the world tells us to do.
