From Bp Miller: Lent 2026

The season of Lent invites us into a time of repentance, reminding us of our call through baptism to “live lives worthy of repentance.” Thus, we begin the season with the reminders of those disciplines that help us to repent—almsgiving, prayer, and fasting. I wonder, however, whether we need more than just these reminders.

On Ash Wednesday, we might hear Jesus telling disciples that many practice these disciplines without repentance. Hypocrites, he calls them, those who give alms, pray, and fast to be seen by others. Their actions put themselves at the center with no room for God except as a spectator. Praise is what they seek rather than a right relationship with their God.

Repentance means we put God in the center, not counting ourselves worthy of praise or reward. We repent of our self-aggrandization and putting ourselves ahead of others. We repent from our tendency to ignore God’s instruction and commandments.

I find it strange that the lectionary for Ash Wednesday omits from the gospel reading the words of what we have come to call the Lord’s Prayer. This prayer contains in it much of what we need for repentance. As I look at the readings appointed for Lent and compare them to this prayer, I am finding connections I had not noticed before. In this season, I will reflect more on these connections in my Musings posted on our website. I invite you to join me in considering how this prayer helps us engage more deeply in the disciplines of Lent.