1st Sunday of Lent Feb 22, 2026
If you do not forgive those who have wronged you, do not trouble yourself with fasting. If you refuse to forgive your brother’s debt and remain angry with him, your fasting is useless- God will not accept it. Fasting will not benefit you until you grow in love and in the hope that comes from faith. Anyone who fasts while remaining angry and holding hatred in their heart is rejecting God, and salvation is far from them.
— Ephrem the Syrian