Midweek Musing- February 17, 2026

Midweek Musing 2/17/2026

This week we move into the season of Lent on the church liturgical calendar. In the 40 days of this season, we are invited to examine our hearts a little more honestly as we prepare for the glorious celebration of Easter. In doing so there is a tradition of folks giving up something during these weeks.

Now we do not do this as part of a spiritual self-improvement plan. We do it to remind us to take time to be with God and reflect in our Creator’s great love for each of us. Indeed, Lent at its very heart is where we give things up not because God needs our sacrifice but because we need space to come back to God.

As I was thinking about this season, I came across a quote that has been popping up on social media and resonated and challenged me which is what Lent is supposed to do.

It is attributed to Pope Leo XIV:

“I would like to invite you to a very practical and frequently unappreciated form of abstinence: that of refraining from words that offend and hurt our neighbor. Let us begin by disarming our language, avoiding harsh words and rash judgement, refraining from slander, and speaking ill of those who are not present and cannot defend themselves. Instead, let us strive to measure our words and cultivate kindness and respect in our families, among our friends, at work, on social media, in political debates, in the media and in Christian communities. In this way, words of hatred will give way to words of hope and peace.”

What struck me beyond the eloquence of the words is that this is not about giving up chocolate.

It’s not about caffeine.

It’s not even about food or reality TV or social media.

It’s about choosing our words carefully; about giving up the need to sound superior, to always be right, to win every encounter.

It’s about asking whether our words sound like Jesus or just like what we might hear on a TV political news talk show.

This endeavor is even more difficult than the headache from giving up caffeine.

James in his epistle tells us the tongue is small but powerful. He reminds us it is capable of blessing the God we love and then cursing those made in God’s image in the very next breath.

Jesus himself warns that we will give account for careless words.

And Paul urges the church to speak words that build up others.

Which means this kind of Lenten fasting is not superficial.

It is deeply spiritual, pushing us to seek God’s own call on our lives.

Thus, if Lent is about returning to the heart of God, then surely it must include returning to the way of love not just in sentiment, but in our words.

Because Jesus did not simply instruct us to love God and love neighbor.

He demonstrated it.

When insulted, he did not attack back with insults of his own.

When he was misunderstood, he did not lash out.

When abandoned by others, he did not curse them.

Jesus spoke truth, even to power. But he always did so in service of redemption, never humiliation.

And if I’m honest (especially with us), this is where the work gets real and real difficult.

You see it is easy to say we love people.

It’s harder to love them when we disagree.

Harder still when we feel wounded.

And hardest of all when we feel right…when we feel justified.

But Lent is not about being justified.

It is about being formed. And transformed.

Maybe this year our fast could look like this:

Before posting - pause.

Before responding - breathe.

Before judging - listen.

Before speaking - ask, “Will this build up? Will this reflect Christ?”

Psalm 141 offers a simple prayer:

“Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.”

That may be one of the most Lenten prayers of all.

Imagine what might happen if Christian communities became known not for winning arguments but for cultivating kindness. If our political conversations were marked by restraint. If our homes were filled with measured words. If our social media reflected the fruit of the Spirit instead of the anxieties of the moment.

Imagine words from both sides of the aisle and across the world which are so often filled with fear and anger and hatred, giving way instead to hope and peace.

That would look a lot like the kingdom Jesus proclaimed.

As we approach these forty days, perhaps we might ask not only, “What will I give up?” but “How will my words change?”

Because loving God and loving neighbor is not abstract.

It even comes out of our mouths (and the words we type and write and share and repost.)

Friends, the world is listening. And they notice our words.

So may the words of our mouths and our hearts be pleasing, right and true and loving, so that the world might know the Word made flesh.

In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Alleluia Amen.