Overview of Lent

John 4:5-29 [Week 3; 3/8/26]

Week 1: Overcoming  (Mt 4:1-11 Jesus’ Temptation). 1st Sun of Lent (2/22/26).

• Read Mt 4:4,7,&10.  How did Jesus overcome temptation?  How did Jesus succeed where we had failed?  Even though we are not perfect like Jesus, how can we learn overcoming faith?  How can fasting help us seek Jesus?

Week 2: Mercy  (Jn 3:1-17 Jesus Helps Nicodemus). 2nd Sun of Lent (3/1/26).

• Read Jn 3:16-17.  How did Jesus show patience and mercy to a self-righteous Pharisee named Nicodemus?  What does it mean to be “Born Again”, and why do we need Jesus’ mercy to embark newly on a spiritual journey to God’s kingdom? (Gn 12:1-4)

Week 3: Dependance  (Jn 4:5-29 Jesus & the Samaritan Woman). 3rd Sun of Lent (3/8/26).

• Read Jn 4:6-7.  Why was Jesus thirsty?  Why did Jesus make himself vulnerable?  (Phil 2:5-8.) Why was it difficult for a Jewish man (in the 1^st Century) to be humble toward a Samaritan woman?  How did Jesus’ expression of interdependence help the Samaritan woman open her heart to God?  How does this passage remind us of our deep need of the Savior?

Week 4: Meaning  (Jn 9:1-41 Jesus Heals the Blind Man). 4th Sun of Lent (3/15/26).

• Read Jn 9:5. How does Jesus give us the true meaning of life?  Read Jn 9:35-38.  How did the man who was healed of blindness seek spiritual meaning in his life?

Week 5: Maturity  (Jn 11:1-45 Jesus raises Lazarus). 5th Sun of Lent (3/22/26).

• Read Jn 11:6,14,15.  How did Jesus’ intentional delay create an opportunity for the disciples to grow in maturity of faith?  Read John 11:21-27.  How did Martha show maturing faith?

Week 6: Waiting on the Lord: Holy Week. Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday (3/29/26).

• Read Isa 53:6. Holy Week brings a time to ponder the work of the cross.  Through the Lord’s Supper, Jesus brought the nourishing reality of his death into the worshipping life of the Christian community. Good Friday and Holy Saturday are a time of quietness and waiting so that our hearts are prepared for the power of the resurrection message on Easter.

LENT 2026: A season of REFLECTION, PENANCE, and RENEWAL. Lent is a sacred time in the Church to prepare our hearts for Easter. It is a season of prayer, fasting, almsgiving, and spiritual renewal, helping us reflect on Christ’s sacrifice and grow closer to God.

Sundays of Lent 2026:

1. 1st Sun of Lent: Feb 22, 2026 – A time to begin our journey of repentance and conversion.
2. 2nd Sun of Lent: Mar 1, 2026 – Reflect on God’s promises and strengthen our faith.
3. 3rd Sun of Lent: Mar 8, 2026 – Focus on turning away from sin and returning to God.
4. 4th Sun of Lent (Laetare Sunday): March 15, 2026 – A joyful pause in Lent, reminding us of God’s mercy.
5. 5th Sun of Lent: Mar 22, 2026 – Renew commitment to prayer, fasting, and service.
6. Palm Sun: Mar 29, 2026 – Celebrates Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem and begins Holy Week.

Paschal Triduum 2026:

• Maundy Thursday: Apr 2, 2026 – Commemorates the Last Supper and the institution of the Eucharist.
• Good Friday: April 3, 2026 – Remember Christ’s Passion and death on the cross.
• Holy Saturday: April 4, 2026 – A day of waiting and prayer, preparing for the Resurrection.
• Easter Sunday: April 5, 2026 – Celebrate Christ’s Resurrection, the victory of life over death.

As we journey through this holy season, may our hearts be open to God’s grace. Let this Lent be a time of true reflection, sincere repentance, and renewed love for Christ, so that we may celebrate Easter with joy, hope, and faith.