Kindness: A Plan for Lent

February 18, 2026 // Ash Wednesday

Read the Word // Open your Bible to today’s First Reading: Joel 2:12-18 

Reflect on the Word //

I stood in line at the coffee shop on my birthday, excitement building with the idea to buy a coffee for the woman behind me. The woman was surprised and smiled with her “thank you,” and I paid for her coffee. I don’t remember any gifts I received that day, but I fondly remember sharing the joy of my birthday by gifting a coffee on that cold morning.

Today’s reading from Joel describes the Lord as “rich in kindness” (Joel 2:13). All my life, I’ve heard these same readings for Ash Wednesday. Not once before have I paid attention to that description of Him. This year, the words stopped me in my tracks. 

What does it mean for the Lord to be rich in kindness? I wondered. His kindness is greater than buying a coffee for a stranger or any list of RAKs (random acts of kindness). Kindness is synonymous with compassion, graciousness, generosity, benevolence. Kindness comes from the heart, implies a relationship among people, and requires selfless action from one toward another. Of course the Lord is kind! His Sacred Heart burns with love for us. He sees us, knows our every need, gives endlessly of Himself to meet our needs and desires. 

I experience the Lord’s kindness often: With every wildflower He delights my heart, with every Mass He nourishes my soul, with every breath He sustains my life with His love. His kindness is in the beauty of the world, the provisions for my life, the friendships I share. Every good thing in my life is a gift of God’s rich kindness.

Reflecting on the Lord’s kindness can inspire us to live the pillars of Lent. With fasting, prayer, and almsgiving, we respond to His love and share it with others. Fasting increases our hunger for God. Prayer opens our hearts to receive God’s love. Almsgiving allows us to generously give what we can to meet the needs of others, imitating God’s kindness.

Relate to the Lord // How has the Lord been kind to you? Take inventory today.

About Gina Fensterer

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Gina Fensterer is a wife of 20 years and mother of six children. She is passionate about finding God in the ordinary moments of her vocation. She loves Adoration, praying with Scripture, long morning walks, and fitness. She was a contributing author to And Hay Became Holy and our children's devotional prayer book called Rise Up. Read more by her here.