February 22, 2026 - First Sunday of Lent

Fr. Jack Johnson begins this Lent-focused homily with a clever exploration of the word "turn"—from turning our heads when we hear our name to turning over a new leaf. He explains that in Hebrew, repentance literally means "to turn," making this the perfect season for spiritual redirection. Drawing parallels between Adam and Eve's turn toward selfishness and Jesus's turn toward God's Word during his temptation, Fr. Jack shows us how we can choose our direction during Lent. He emphasizes that we don't have to face temptation alone—we need community, support, and the church's traditions of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. This encouraging message reminds us that Lent should be serious but not grim, offering hope through Jesus's victory and the promise of eternal life.