Lenten Disciplines and Discipleship

It's hard to believe that the church season of Lent is a week away.  We'll begin with Ash Wednesday on February 18 and go through Saturday, April 4th, ending on Easter Sunday the next day.

This is a period of forty days if you don't count Sundays which may be seen as little Easters.

During this time, we are reminded of Jesus spending forty days in the wilderness when he fasted and was tempted.  This followed his baptism and was prior to the beginning of his public ministry.

Many Christians choose smaller fasts during the Lenten season for their own spiritual growth.  I've heard of people giving up desserts or social media during this time.  The idea is that when we have a craving, we put ourselves in solidarity with Jesus who fasted to prepare himself for his ministry.  It may also foster compassion in us by reminding us of those who fast through no choice of their own.

During Lent, sometimes Christians also take on an extra discipline for the forty days.  I've taken to working my way through a book of the Bible during Lent and then posting reflections daily through this blog.  Notice that discipline and discipleship have the same root word which has to do with learning.  Hopefully, this Biblical journey leads to greater learning so that we further our discipleship.  It's good to know what Jesus says in order to follow him effectively!

This year, I'll be reading through Mathew since we are in Year A of the liturgical cycle and utilize this Gospel in worship throughout the various seasons.  Here's the outline of the Lenten readings - note I don't post on Sundays, and you can use those as catchup days if needed.

2/18/2026 Ash Wednesday Matthew 1:1-17 The Genealogy of Jesus the Messiah 

2/19/2026 Matthew 1:18-25 The Birth of Jesus 

2/20/2026 Matthew 2:1-23 Magi, Egypt, Massacre, Return

2/21/2026 Matthew 3:1-17 John the Baptist, Baptism of Jesus

2/22/2026         First Sunday in Lent        Day of Rest

2/23/2026 Matthew 4:1-25 Temptation, Begins Ministry, Calls Disciples

2/24/2026 Matthew 5:1-20 Sermon on the Mount - Beatitudes

2/25/2026 Matthew 5:21-48 Sermon on the Mount - Anger, Adultery, Divorce, Oaths, Retaliation, Love for Enemies

2/26/2026 Matthew 6:1-18 Sermon on the Mount - Almsgiving, Prayer and Fasting

2/27/2026 Matthew 6:19-34 Sermon on the Mount - Treasures, Sound Eye, 2 Masters, Worry

2/28/2026 Matthew 7:1-12 Sermon on the Mount - Judging Others, Profaning the Holy, Ask, Search, Knock, Golden Rule

3/1/2026                 Second Sunday in Lent Day of Rest

3/2/2026 Matthew 7:13-29 Sermon on the Mount - Narrow Gate, A Tree and Its Fruit, Self-Deception, Hearers and Doers

3/3/2026 Matthew 8:1-34 Jesus Heals - stills storm

3/4/2026 Matthew 9:1-38 Jesus Heals - where the laborers at?

3/5/2026 Matthew 10:1-42 Mission of the Apostles

3/6/2026 Matthew 11:1-30 Messengers from John the Baptizer

3/7/2026 Matthew 12:1-21 Lord of the Sabbath

3/8/2026         Third Sunday in Lent Day of Rest

3/9/2026 Matthew 12:22-50 Blasphemy of the Heart

3/10/2026 Matthew 13:1-23 Parable of the Sower

3/11/2026 Matthew 13:24-58 Parables and Rejection

3/12/2026 Matthew 14:1-36 Feeding 5000, Walking on Water

3/13/2026 Matthew 15:1-39 Defiling, Changing, Curing, Feeding

3/14/2026 Matthew 16:1-28 Death and Resurrection foretold

3/15/2026 Fourth Sunday in Lent Day of Rest

3/16/2026 Matthew 17:1-27 Transfiguration 

3/17/2026 Matthew 18:1-35 Greatness and Forgiveness

3/18/2026 Matthew 19:1-30 Divorce, Children, Rich

3/19/2026 Matthew 20:1-19 Laborers in the Vineyard - followed by Death and Ressurection prediction

3/20/2026 Matthew 20:20-34 James and John - 2 blind men

3/21/2026 Matthew 21:1-22 Jesus Enters and Cleanses Temple

3/22/2026 Fifth Sunday in Lent Day of Rest

3/23/2026 Matthew 21:23-46 Parables - Two sons - Wicked Tenants

3/24/2026 Matthew 22:1-22 Parable - Wedding Banquet - Taxes

3/25/2026 Matthew 22:23-46 Greatest Commandment - Resurrection and Lineage

3/26/2026 Matthew 23:1-39 Scribes and Pharisees - Lament

3/27/2026 Matthew 24:1-28 Tough Times Ahead

3/28/2026 Matthew 24:29-51 Fig Tree, Watch, Unfaithful slave

3/29/2026 Palm Sunday Day of Rest

3/30/2026 Matthew 25:1-30 Parables of Ten - Bridesmaids and Talents

3/31/2026 Matthew 25:31-46 Judgment of the Nations

4/1/2026 Matthew 26:1-16 Anointing at Bethany, Passover

4/2/2026 Maundy Thursday Matthew 26:17-75 Institution of Lord's Supper, Betrayl, Arrest, Denial

4/3/2026 Good Friday Matthew 27:1-56 Crucifixion of Jesus

4/4/2026 Holy Saturday Matthew 27:57-66 Burial and Guard

4/5/2026 Easter Sunday Matthew 28:1-20 Resurrection and Commissioning

Although I don't post on Sundays, I make an exception for Easter because this chapter deals with the Resurrection and it seems appropriate to end the series on Easter Sunday.  If you would like to join in this reading, simply follow this blog each day.  You can also sign up for email reminders through this link: https://bit.ly/PastorsDevotional.  I also post to my social media accounts of Facebook, Bluesky and Twitter daily and I welcome comments so that we engage together in the material.

Blessings to you for a contemplative Lent as we journey toward the cross with Jesus once again.