Entering Lent with Mercy - Fr. Gregory - February 22, 2026

On this Sunday, as we stand at the threshold of Lent, Christ tells us, “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Fr. Gregory emphasizes this passage in today’s sermon.Fr. Gregory explains that forgiveness isn’t optional; if we desire mercy, we must be merciful. However, we resist forgiving because it requires humility. This humility is remembering that everything we have is mercy, and we stand before God as debtors. As long as one is certain of his own righteousness and sits in judgment over another, he cannot forgive. However, the one who truly sees his own sins loses the desire to condemn anyone else; and here, we find humility and freedom, with a heart that can forgive. Fr. Gregory also highlights Luke 6, in which Christ says, “Give, and it will be given to you, for with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”Fr. Gregory continues, explaining that the church surrounds this entire Lenten season with mercy, and we begin by forgiving one another. Throughout Lent, fasting and forgiveness work together — the fast trains the body while forgiveness trains the heart. This prepares us for communion with Christ and with one another. Fr. Gregory encourages us to remember the mercy that sustains our lives, to bow our hearts low, and forgive abundantly, entering this Great Lent in mercy and repentance that we may arrive at Pascha in true communion with Christ and one another.