Lenten Renewal Through Detachment and Penance – Feb 18 – Homily – Fr Joseph Michael

 

Fr Joseph Michael gives the homily at Bloomington, IN, on Feb 18, 2026, Ash Wednesday, emphasizing Lent as a time of grace for detachment from sin, renewal in faith, and atonement for the world's sins, drawing on historical papal warnings to highlight its vital importance.

In this homily, Father reminds us that Lent starts with ashes, showing our short time on earth and our call to grow holy by walking closer to Jesus. He explains how giving up things helps us let go of sins that block our love for God. It's a special gift from God for renewal, as we think about Jesus' suffering and death for our sins. Father emphasizes demonstrating sorrow and faithfulness by loving and following Jesus every day. He shares a powerful quote from Pope Benedict XIV about how keeping Lent strong protects us from evil and honors God, warning that ignoring it brings trouble to souls and the world. Father urges us to use Lent to seek mercy for ourselves and everyone, preparing for Easter with Mary's help to stay united to her Son.

Luke 13:3 - Unless you repent perish - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/13?3
Philippians 3:18 - Enemies of the cross warned - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/philippians/3?18
CCC 1430 - Interior repentance necessary - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p2s2c2a4.htm#IV
CCC 2043 - Lenten observance and purification - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p3s1c3a3.htm#2043
The Liturgical Year, Lent, Dom Guéranger - https://archive.org/stream/liturgicalyear05gura/liturgicalyear05gura_djvu.txt#:~:text=The%20%20observance
Pope Benedict XIV Encyclical - 1741 warning on Lent - Italian - https://www.vatican.va/content/benedictus-xiv/it/documents/breve--i-non-ambigimus--i---30-maggio-1741--il-pontefice-ricorda.html

Ave Maria!

Mass: Ash Wednesday - Wkdy - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ash_Wednesday
Readings:  - http://usccb.org/bible/readings/021826.cfm
1st: joe 2:12-18
Resp: psa 51:3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 14, 17
2nd: 2co 5:20-6:2
Gsp: mat 6:1-6, 16-18

More on the Readings: https://airmaria.com/r?m=1736

Also on YouTube: https://youtu.be/EVJ5qqeUGzQ