Homily

23 February 2026
First Monday of Lent

Readings: Leviticus 19:1–2, 11–18; Matthew 25:31–46

1. Introduction

My dear brothers and sisters,

Lent has only just begun, and already the Word of God challenges us deeply.

Today’s Gospel does not speak about fasting or ashes.
It speaks about judgment.

And not judgment based on how many prayers we said,
or how strictly we fasted —
but on how we treated people.

Lent immediately becomes practical.

2. Life Story

A man once told his priest,
“Father, I pray every day, I fast twice a week, and I never miss Mass.”

The priest smiled and asked,
“And how do you treat your wife?”

The man paused and said,
“Father, let’s keep religion separate from personal matters.”

Sometimes we prefer a faith that stays in church.
But Jesus refuses that separation.

3. Word of God

In the Gospel of Gospel of Matthew (25:31–46), Jesus describes the final judgment.

The Son of Man separates people as a shepherd separates sheep from goats.

And what is the criteria?

• “I was hungry and you gave me food.”

• “I was thirsty and you gave me drink.”

• “I was a stranger and you welcomed me.”

• “I was naked and you clothed me.”

• “I was sick and you visited me.”

• “I was in prison and you came to me.”

Notice something powerful:
Both the righteous and the condemned are surprised.

“When did we see you?”

Jesus identifies Himself with the least.

Not symbolically.
Not poetically.
But personally.

“What you did to the least of my brothers and sisters, you did to me.”

The first reading from Leviticus says:
“Be holy, for I, the Lord your God, am holy.”

And then it lists very practical instructions:
Do not steal.
Do not lie.
Do not hate your brother in your heart.
Love your neighbor as yourself.

Holiness is not mystical isolation.
It is moral responsibility.

Lent, therefore, is not only about giving up food.
It is about giving ourselves.

4. Three Practical Lessons for Today

1. Lent Must Be Concrete

If fasting does not make me kinder,
something is wrong.

If prayer does not soften my heart,
something is missing.

Choose one concrete act of charity this week:

• Visit someone lonely.

• Call someone you have ignored.

• Help someone without being asked.

2. See Christ in the Ordinary

Jesus hides in the hungry.
In the stranger.
In the difficult person.

This is the real test of spirituality:
Can I see Christ in the person who annoys me?

3. Love Is the Measure

At the end of life,
we will not be examined on our titles,
our achievements,
or our popularity.

We will be examined on love.

Love given.
Love withheld.
Love ignored.

Lent trains the heart to love better.

5. Inspirational Quote

“At the evening of life, we shall be judged on love.”
— St. John of the Cross

Simple. Direct. Unavoidable.

6. Conclusion

Brothers and sisters,

The ashes on our foreheads will fade.
The fasting will end.
The forty days will pass.

But the opportunities to love —
those are daily.

Jesus is not far away.
He is in the hungry child.
In the tired spouse.
In the struggling neighbor.
In the poor at the gate.

This Lent, let us not miss Him.

7. Prayer

Lord Jesus,
You identify Yourself with the poor and the forgotten.
Open our eyes to recognize You.
Open our hands to serve You.
Open our hearts to love without calculation.

May our fasting make us generous,
our prayer make us compassionate,
and our Lenten journey lead us
to deeper holiness and true charity.

Teach us to love —
for in loving, we serve You.

Amen.