Walking the Road Together: Our Invitation to a Holy Lent – February 17, 2026

Full St. Nick’s News for February 17, 2026

Dear friends,

Every year on Ash Wednesday, after the ashes are traced on our foreheads, we speak one of the most honest prayers in our Prayer Book: the Litany of Penitence.

If you have ever noticed how quiet the room becomes during that prayer, you know what I mean. It is the kind of quiet that helps you hear God, and helps you think about your life, your faithfulness, your journey with Jesus your friend and savior.

It begins, “Most Holy and Merciful Father, we confess to you and to one another… that we have sinned by our own fault, in thought, word, and deed; by what we have done, and by what we have left undone.” There is something so humbling and beautiful about beginning Lent this way. Not with spiritual ambition. Not with a list of improvements. But with truth.

The Litany of Penitence, is found in the 1979 Book of Common Prayer beginning on page 267. This prayer harkens back to the early Church, when Lent was a season of preparation and return. Those preparing for baptism examined their lives. Those who had wandered were welcomed home. The whole community remembered that faith is about relationship – relationship with God and with one another.

What makes this litany so powerful is its clarity. We do not hide behind generalities. We name pride. Impatience. Envy. Indifference to suffering. Even our carelessness with God’s creation. The prayer assumes that we are capable of harming what we love — and capable, with God’s help, of becoming more loving.

Each confession is answered with a simple refrain:

“Have mercy on us, Lord.”

“Accept our repentance, Lord.”

That steady rhythm does something to the soul. It reminds us that we are not confessing in fear. We are confessing in hope. God’s Mercy and Grace is woven into every line.

In the Episcopal tradition, confession is never about shame. It is about clearing the ground so God’s Grace can take root within us. It is about telling the truth in the presence of a God whose compassion is greater than our worst day. And of course, we begin Lent this way so that we can remember how much we depend on God.

I believe, it actually does our souls good to confess that we have not loved with our whole hearts. When we recognize and grieve that we have not been generous, or clearly see that we have not seen Christ in one another, God can enter into our hearts and our minds and lead us, once more, into the life of God’s abundant love, faith, and hope.

And that is exactly where the prayer leads us towards the end – it guides us to look forward and outward. The Litany of Penitence shares this: “Accomplish in us the work of your salvation, that we may show forth your glory in the world.”

Notice that – such a brilliant prayer!

We are not only asking to be forgiven. We are asking to be formed — shaped into people who reflect God’s light. Who show forth the Glory of Jesus Christ in all the world.

Even on Ash Wednesday, resurrection is waiting for us. So it is no surprise that your heart softens when you pray the final lines: “By the cross and passion of your Son our Lord, bring us with all your saints to the joy of his resurrection.”

In the midst of our deepest confession — in the clear recognition of our absolute need for God — we are given a promise. We are not alone. We belong to Jesus Christ. We are held within the love of God and surrounded by the communion of saints.

My prayer is that we begin Lent this way — honest about our need and confident in God’s Grace. We need God. We need one another. And thank God we are blessed to have both!

God’s peace, love, and blessings,

Beth+