February 22, 2026 – FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT

+ From the Gospel according to Matthew (4:1-11)

At that time, Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” But he answered, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'”

Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written, ‘He will command his angels concerning you, and in their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.'” Jesus answered him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.'”
Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to him, “All these things I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.'”

Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and ministered to him.

The Word of the Lord