Ash Wednesday - February 18th, 2026

Ash Wednesday

Matthew 6:1

“Beware of practicing your righteousness before others in order to be seen by them…”

Reflection

It’s so interesting to me that the Church begins Lent with a warning: Even the holiest practices can become hollow if they’re performed for visibility rather than relationship. I don’t think that’s accidental. It’s formative. It’s easy to be alarmed by the word “Beware”, but I think it is best to read it as if it said, “Pay attention. Notice yourself and be mindful of why you live out your faith in the ways that you do.” Jesus already knows that we will practice being righteous in community. Yet, he also knows that we are human; which means he also knows that we have a tendency to do things as a performance, rather than as a true devotion. So, as you go about receiving ashes today on Ash Wednesday, or live out the weeks of Lent, notice if the choices you make are inspired by a need to look a certain way to others or rather to be seen exactly as you are by God.  

Reflection by Pastor Tammy

CONSIDER

What changes in me when I imagine God seeing me exactly as I am?

PRAYER

Loving and understanding God. See me exactly as I am and help me to love myself, as you love me,  just as I am. Amen.

FAITH IN ACTION 

Before going to sleep at night, reflect on the day; notice what small, ordinary thing I did to be seen by others and what I did to be faithful.

Gratitude

Take a moment to name one thing you are grateful for today.

Bible Skill Note

Matthew is the first book of the New Testament. The large number refers to the chapter; the smaller number refers to the verse.

🌿 Return to one of the Seven Spiritual Practices today.