Catholic Faith Formation Resources

Saturday of the First Week of Lent Matthew 5:43–48 Lent has a way of bringing us back to the basics of discipleship, and Jesus’ words in this passage go straight to the heart of what it means to follow him. It’s easy to love the people who love us back. It’s natural to be kind to those who treat us well. But Jesus invites us into something deeper—something that stretches us beyond comfort and into the very heart of God. When Jesus says, “Love your enemies,” he isn’t asking us to pretend that hurt doesn’t exist or that injustice is acceptable. Jesus is inviting us to respond to the difficult people in our lives with a freedom that doesn’t depend on their behavior. This kind of love isn’t about liking someone or approving of what they’ve done. It’s about choosing not to let bitterness, resentment, or retaliation shape our hearts. God “makes his sun rise on the bad and the good.” That means God's love isn’t selective or cautious. God's love is generous, steady, and un...

Friday of the First Week of Lent Matthew 5:20–26 Jesus speaks to us today in a very personal and loving way. He tells us that following him is not only about doing the right things on the outside, but about allowing our hearts to be transformed on the inside. “Unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees,” Jesus says, “you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.” This can sound challenging, even heavy—but Jesus is not trying to discourage us. Jesus is inviting us into deeper freedom and deeper love. In today’s Gospel, Jesus focuses on anger, resentment, and broken relationships. He reminds us that hurtful words, silent grudges, and unresolved conflicts matter. They matter because they affect our hearts and our relationships, and because God cares deeply about how we treat one another. Worship and prayer are important, but Jesus gently tells us that reconciliation is also holy work. Making peace is part of loving God. Lent is a season of the h...

Thursday of the First Week of Lent Matthew 7:7–12 In today’s Gospel, Jesus speaks words that are full of hope and reassurance: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened.” These are not empty promises. They are an invitation to trust God with our deepest needs and desires. Jesus knows our hearts. He understands our fears, our struggles, and the questions we carry. When he encourages us to ask, seek, and knock, he is not telling us to demand answers or force results. He is inviting us into a relationship of trust. Like a loving parent, God listens with care and responds with love—always giving what is truly good for us. The Gospel today is especially meaningful during Lent. As we pray more intentionally, we may wonder if our prayers really matter. Jesus assures us that they do. Every honest prayer, even one spoken with doubt or weariness, opens us to God’s transforming grace. Prayer changes us. It helps shape our hearts to ...

Wednesday of the First Week of Lent Luke 11:29–32 In today's Gospel, people ask Jesus for a sign—something spectacular, undeniable, dramatic. But instead of dazzling them, Jesus says that no sign will be given except the sign of Jonah. According to the Book of Jonah, God had explicitly instructed the prophet Jonah to go to Ninevah and warn its inhabitants, with the goal of leading them to repent of their wickedness or face God's judgment. The people listened, believed Jonah, humbled themselves, and changed their lives. No miracles are recorded there—just a warning and an open heart. And that was enough (see Jonah 3:1-10). Jesus also mentions the Queen of the South, who traveled far to hear the wisdom of Solomon. She made a long, costly journey because she believed that wisdom was worth seeking (see 1 Kings 10:1-13; 2 Chronicles 9:1-12). Then Jesus says something remarkable: “There is something greater here.” At first glance, it can sound almost disappointing. Why ...

Tuesday of the First Week of Lent Matthew 6:7–15 As we begin this first full week of Lent, Jesus gently brings us back to the heart of our faith: prayer. In today’s Gospel, Jesus reminds us that prayer is not about using many words or saying things “just right.” God is a loving Father who already knows what we need. Prayer, at its core, is about relationship. It is coming home to God who already knows us, loves us unconditionally, and desires our friendship. Jesus is our model for prayer. Jesus prayed regularly and often, before and during the events of his life, and sometimes spending the night alone in prayer. Moved by Jesus' example, his disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray. Jesus gives us the "Lord’s Prayer" or the "Our Father" 1 —a prayer many of us know by heart. Because it is so familiar, we may sometimes say it quickly or without much thought. Lent invites us to slow down and listen again. Every petition of this prayer teaches us ...

Monday of the First Week of Lent Matthew 25:31-46 Lent begins by turning our hearts toward what truly matters. Today’s Gospel is both simple and challenging. Jesus tells us that at the end of time, we will be asked about love—not in theory, but in action. “I was hungry and you gave me food… I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” What surprises everyone in the story is this: they did not recognize Jesus—"When did we see you?" Jesus was hidden in ordinary people and everyday needs. This is good news for us. It means holiness is not far away or complicated. It is close to home. It looks like love, kindness, patience, generosity, and mercy. Jesus meets us in the small moments of daily life—when we listen instead of rushing, when we help instead of ignoring, when we choose compassion over convenience. Lent is a season of renewal, and today Jesus gently reorients our focus. Fasting, prayer, and sacrifice are important, but they are meant to open our eyes and soften our he...

First Sunday of Lent Matthew 4:1-11 Every Lent begins in the desert. In today’s Gospel, Jesus is led by the Spirit into a quiet, lonely place where he fasts, prays, and faces temptation. This moment comes right after his baptism, reminding us that the desert is not a punishment—it is part of preparation. The desert is where hearts are clarified and faith is strengthened. Jesus is tempted in very human ways. He is hungry, tired, and vulnerable. The tempter invites him to take shortcuts, to put himself first, to seek power and recognition. Each time, Jesus responds by trusting God’s word instead of giving in to fear or desire. He shows us that temptation is not a failure. What matters is how we respond. Lent invites us into our own desert experience—not necessarily a place, but a way of living more simply and honestly, with our hearts and minds centered on God. Through fasting, prayer, and small sacrifices, we create space to notice what pulls us away from God. The desert helps...

Saturday After Ash Wednesday Luke 5:27-32 Have you ever felt unworthy to follow Jesus? Maybe you’ve thought, “Jesus wouldn’t call someone like me.” Well, here’s some good news from today’s Gospel. Jesus calls Levi, a tax collector—someone everyone else avoided—just as he calls each of us. There's no lecture, no conditions, no judgment. And Levi responds without hesitation to Jesus' grace-filled invitation: “Follow me.” Think about it: tax collectors were not only seen as sinners, but as traitors to their own people. Yet, Jesus doesn’t see Levi’s reputation or past mistakes. Jesus sees a person in need of mercy and invites him into a new life. And notice what happens next: Levi hosts a great banquet and invites his friends—other “sinners”—to meet Jesus. It’s a celebration of gratitude for God's grace. Lent is our invitation to be like Levi. It’s a time to notice where we feel unworthy, where we’ve separated ourselves from God or others, and to respond to...

Friday After Ash Wednesday Matthew 9:14-15 The Gospel today presents a simple but striking moment: the disciples of John ask Jesus why his followers aren’t fasting the way others do. Jesus responds with an image that is both tender and revealing: “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them?” In other words, Jesus is saying that fasting isn’t just about giving something up; it’s about longing for someone—it's about relationship. Lent invites us into that same longing. It’s a season of desire—a time to notice the places where we’ve grown distant from God and to let our hunger, our sacrifices, and even our discomfort draw us back to God. Jesus’ words remind us that fasting is not an end in itself. When we fast—whether from food, habits, noise, or distractions—we’re not seeking to demonstrate our willpower or prove our holiness. We’re clearing space and making room for God. We fast to remember what truly satifies. We fast to awaken our ...

Thursday After Ash Wednesday Luke 9:22-25 Jesus tells his disciples, “The Son of Man must suffer greatly… and be rejected… and be killed, and on the third day be raised.” Then Jesus asks a question that cuts to the heart of our lives: “What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit themselves?” This Lent, Jesus invites us into a bold and honest conversation with ourselves and with God. We live in a world obsessed with “more”—more things, more success, more comfort, more recognition. But what Jesus is asking is deeper: what is truly worth holding onto? If we chase after everything except God, we risk losing the very abundant life Christ came to give us. Taking up our cross daily doesn’t mean seeking suffering for its own sake, nor is it intended to crush us. It's meant to free us from our false selves we cling to and that enslave us—our need to control, to be admired, to win, to avoid discomfort at all costs. It leads us to surrender to and...

" Remember You Are Dust and to Dust You Shall Return" (Gen. 3:19) Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18 "Ash Wednesday" marks the beginning of the Lenten Season. In today's Gospel, Jesus speaks about three familiar Lenten practices—almsgiving, prayer, and fasting. Jesus' message is clear and surprisingly practical: don’t turn these practices into a performance. Faith is not meant to impress others; it is meant to draw us closer to God. When we give to those in need, Jesus invites us to do so quietly, with generosity that flows from love rather than recognition. When we pray, Jesus encourages us to seek moments of silence, to step away from distractions, and to speak honestly with God. And when we fast, Jesus reminds us not to be gloomy or showy, but to let fasting deepen our trust in God and our compassion for others. Lent asks us to look not at what others see, but at what God sees. God sees our intentions, our struggles, our efforts—even the small ones that no...

The Lenten season begins tomorrow on Ash Wednesday. We previously posted the article, "Lenten and Easter Resources 2026," that provides links to various articles, videos, music, practices, and other resurces to help you prepare for and participate in this year's Lenten and Easter Seasons. Beginning with Ash Wednesday and continuing throughout the Lenten Season and culminating on Easter Sunday, we will offer short reflections on the Gospel reading for each day. These articles were prepared, in part, with the assistance of information provided by CoPilot and ChatGPT in response to specific inquiries. A link to the Daily Gospel reading, reflection questions, and a short prayer are also included. We hope and pray you find these reflections helpful for your spiritual journey. May our hearts and minds be opened this Lenten Season to experience the transforming presence of our unconditionally loving and merciful God, who is closer to us than we are to ourselves.

Lent is a season for introspection and acknowledging reality. For many, it calls us to confront the addictions in our lives. The term "addiction" has been defined in various ways by authorities who treat particular addictions and impulse control disorders, such as with substances (e.g. alcohol, drugs, prescription medicines, smoking, etc.) or behavioral (e.g. pornography, gambling, sex, social media, intenret, video games, food, work, shopping, exercising, tatoos, plastic surgery, and so on). For example consider the following definition of "addiction" offered by the American Psychological Association: A state of psychological and/or physical dependence on the use of drugs or other substances, such as alcohol, or on activities or behaviors. The term is often used as an equivalent term for substance use disorder or substance dependence and can be applied to non-substance-related behavioral addictions, such as sex, exercise, and gambling. A chemical substance wi...

RESOURCES FOR PREPARING FOR AND PARTICIPATING IN THE SEASONS OF LENT AND EASTER SUNDAY FEBRUARY 18 THROUGH APRIL 5, 2026 "Then the disciples of John approached [Jesus] and said, ‘Why do we and the Pharisees fast [much], but your disciples do not fast?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast’” (Mt 9:14-15). What are you doing to prepare for and to participate in Lent? The Season of Lent is the forty-day period before Easter, excluding Sundays, which begins this year on Ash Wednesday, February 18, 2026 and ends at sunset on Holy Thursday, April 2, when the Easter Triduum begins, culminating on Easter Sunday, April 5, 2026 when we celebrate the Resurrection of the Lord. As the U.S. Bishops explain, Lent is a period of preparation to celebrate the Lord's Resurrection at Easter. During Lent, we seek the Lord i...