Hello All,

Please join us, our Zoom Link is below for this Saturday’s session at 8:00 AM PST 02/14/2026. I am blessed by the presence of each one of you in my life. We show gratitude to God by “giving thanks in all circumstances …” [1Thess. 5:18a]

With the approach of the Easter Season we will devote a portion of this study time to the coming of Easter. We will briefly discuss Ash Wednesdays and the Stations of the Cross. We have 56 days to prepare for the Empty Tomb.

We will briefly continue our study of Matthew this morning. The study of [Matthew 5, 6, 7] is quite simply dense, but we will take our time, we are in no rush, we do not want to miss important elements of Jesus’ teachings. In this study session we will review a portion of [Matthew Chapter 5]. It is here that Jesus lays out His meaning of loving thy neighbor. There are a brief 6 verses, but they set the context He desires from us as we journey through life.

It is my prayer that you are able to join us.

Love, hank

Zoom Link:
For Study, Prayer and Fellowship – 8:00 AM PST 02/14/2026:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82968961343?pwd=LzcwVjJKcWVESDRURlhDcXlNV0JUdz09
Meeting ID: 829 6896 1343
Passcode: 77299ere:

Bible Study Notes:

02/14/2026 – Prologue – Easter Preparation – A brief exploration of the history and traditions of Easter-time, helps to capture the spirit of the season, begins with Ash Wednesday 02/18/2026.  Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent (the Easter Season). The purpose of this time is to prepare us via 40 days of prayer, fasting and service during the 6.5 weeks leading to Easter. It is also a time of repentance; “However, I consider my life worth nothing to me if only I may finish the race and the task the Lord Jesus has given me – the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.” [Acts 20:24] It is a time when we should be drawing closer to God. Ash Wednesday in some communities, is an obligatory day of abstinence for those aged 18 – 59. That practice began in the 11^th C. However, ashes on the forehead is a sign of penance with Hebrew roots. “This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel says, ‘In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.’” [Isa. 30:15]

Today, Roman Catholics, Lutherans, Methodists, Presbyterians, Anglicans and many non-denominational churches practice the custom. The Eastern Orthodox, do not. They commence the Easter season two days earlier on Clean Monday. Both days commemorate Jesus’ entry into the desert for fasting and preparation for His public ministry. “All the prophets testify about Him that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name.” [Acts 10:43] Note: The 40 days do not include Sundays, thus the actual time from Ash Wednesday until Easter Sunday is 46 days. During lent, we need to become more contemplative as we try to understand the totality of Jesus’ pain and suffering. Some folks give up pleasurable things to demonstrate their dependence on God. “In Him we have redemption  through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace” [Eph. 1:7]

Receiving ashes: Tradition calls for the priest to make the sign of the cross on one’s forehead, after having dipped his thumb in ashes, to remind us of our short time in this fallen world. The ashes are made by the burning of the palm branches that are left over from the previous year’s Palm Sunday. “… for dust you are and to dust you will return.” [Gen. 3:19] Lent is a period of self-examination, confession, spiritual growth and spending time with our Bibles. In summation, this period and the presence of the physical manifestation represented by the ashes serves three purposes: 1) that our lives serve a high purpose; 2) to help us, in a hectic world, to focus on Jesus; and 3) pronouncing the finished work of Christ. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” [Rom. 8:28]

A prayer of reflection for Ash Wednesday: Most merciful, heavenly Father – As I receive the sign of the cross in ashes, I am reminded that you formed me in your great love and mercy. I deserve nothing apart from You, yet through Jesus’ sacrifice for my sins, I am forgiven and redeemed. Lord, I ask that the Holy Spirit would remind me, moment by moment, of my constant need for You. Shine a light on any sin I need to confess, help me walk in humble repentance, knowing that while I am already forgiven, I still long to honor You in all that I do. In this sacred season, I desire to love You – in mind, body and soul – declaring to the world that life with You is better than life itself. Strengthen me to fix my eyes on Jesus amid all the distractions within and around me. In Jesus’ holy name I pray. He is risen. Amen

In the US, Easter Sunday is 04/05/2026, a mere 56 days from now. In our hectic daily life, it is all too easy to come to the celebration of the glory of Easter, the risen Christ, without taking a pause to participate in the meaning of the days that lead us to the empty tomb. It is my prayer that we all take the opportunity to prepare for the Resurrection by participating in a portion of the traditions of the Easter season, even if these traditions are offered in communities other than our own. The first is nearly upon us – Ash Wednesday. If your community does not distribute ashes, make an inquiry to find where they may be available that is convenient for you. During the entire period of Lent, we have the opportunity to pray the Stations of the Cross. They may be prayed every day, but more traditionally on Fridays. Most Christian churches have depictions of the Stations affixed to the interior walls of the church. If a church is not convenient it is possible to pray the Stations at home as a part of our quiet time. At the end of these notes, I have included directions for praying the Stations. This is a wonderful opportunity to spend time in personal reflection and repentance.

[Matt. 5:43-48] Jesus’ authoritative clarification of the Torah’s meaning now addresses love for one’s neighbor. Some, having a desire to limit one’s loving deeds to a specific group(s) reveal themselves wherever sinners are found. Jesus’ words reject that limit. However, in this writing we are not able to determine if a particular group existed in 1C Jerusalem. Few, OT passages exhort hatred for one’s enemies, but there are passages that command hatred toward evil. [Amos 5:15] In Psalms there are passages expressing hatred toward evildoers. [Ps. 139:21-22] The challenge here is if or if not, these scriptural references have been infused with confusion. Are they manipulated via zeal or malice? Here is the key element of these six verses: Jesus urgently commands His disciples to “love” without reference to the goodness of the person being loved and to “pray” for others in the same way. Even the enemy and persecutor must receive the loving deeds and prayers of Jesus’ disciples. [Isa. 59:16] The purpose is to give evidence that those who pray are, in fact, the sons of the heavenly Father, who is known only in Jesus. [Matt. 11:27]

Why? The Father is good to both evil and good, to just and unjust. This is so in the realm of creation, where God does not withhold His good gifts from those who have set themselves against Him in disbelief and rebellion. This applies to Jesus himself, who will give His life as the ransom payment, not for the few, but the many. [Matt. 20:28] In the 1C., this was key because one’s well being was often depended upon patronage. In the 20C. our society is concerned with possessions and busy-ness; and families are falling apart from the pressures of poverty and divorce. It may even make news if we succeed in loving those whom we are supposed to love. Jesus asks rhetorically, What reward do you have? [Matt. 5:46] In [Matt. 5:47] He implies others, outsiders, non-believers, “Gentiles” – love their ‘brothers’. In [Matt. 5:48] we find a call to maturity, to completeness and to a perfection that reflects the Father and the original intent of the Torah. However, here is the ultimate outcome: We seek to reveal human sinfulness and if we obey the will of God that Jesus reveals in these six verses we learn about our own sinfulness. [Luke 6:45] Jesus’s aim is not to condemn His disciples as sinners, as they certainly are, but to reveal to them their calling as salt of the earth and light of the world.

Thus, the sequence: Our relationship with Jesus and our Father is created by repentance; then our faith is the promised blessing that Jesus announces in the Beatitudes; and then Jesus’ disciples (us), individually and corporately begin to manifest the will of God for our lives. The quest for perfection. As disciples we press forward toward completeness, in Jesus, because we trust in this Christ, we will enter the reign of heaven on the Last day. [Matt. 5:19]    AMEN   (25-28)

Stations of the Cross 

The Stations of the Cross is a powerful Christian devotion that allows believers to reflect on Jesus’ passion and death. It is traditionally prayed during Lent, mostly on Fridays, but can be done any time. This is a step-by-step guide on how to pray at the Stations of the Cross.

What Are the Stations of the Cross?

The Stations of the Cross consist of 14 stations, each depicting a significant moment from Jesus’ condemnation to His burial. This devotion helps us meditate on Christ’s suffering, deepening our faith and understanding of His sacrifice.

How to pray the Stations of the Cross

1. Find a Suitable Place

You can pray at a church with physical stations, at home, or outdoors. If you do not have access to a church, you can use a booklet or guide to follow along. (See the list below.)

2. Prepare Your Heart

Begin with the Sign of the Cross. Say an opening prayer, asking God for the grace to meditate on the Christ’s Passion.

3. Start Each Station with a Reflection

For each station, follow these steps:

Announce the station (“The First Station: Jesus is Condemned to Death”). Bow in reverence.

Pray: “We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You. Because by Your Holy Cross, You have redeemed the world.”

Meditate on the event, imagining yourself in that moment, and recite a personal prayer or read a reflection for deeper understanding.

4. Conclude Each Station

Say an Our Father, Hail Mary, or Glory Be, then Move to the next station and repeat.

5. Final Prayer

After completing all 14 stations, pray a concluding prayer, such as the Act of Contrition.

The 14 Stations of the Cross with Scripture References

1. Jesus is condemned to death – Pilate unjustly sentenced Jesus to death, despite being innocent. [Matt. 27:22-26]

2. Jesus takes up His cross – Jesus willingly accepts the heavy cross, embracing the suffering for the salvation of humanity. [John 19:17]

3. Jesus falls the first time – Weakened by the weight of the cross, His physical punishment, and the loss of blood; Jesus falls, but gets up again. This teaches us perseverance. [Mark 8:34]

4. Jesus meets His Mother – Mary’s sorrowful yet loving presence reminds us of the deep bond between mother and son. [Luke 2:34-35]

5. Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus carry the cross – Simon is compelled to help Jesus, reminding us to carry each other’s burdens. [Mark 15:21]

6. Veronica wipes the face of Jesus – Moved by compassion, Veronica offers Jesus comfort – His image is left on her cloth. [Matt. 25:40]

7. Jesus falls the second time – Though exhausted, Jesus stands up again, teaching us resilience in faith. [Ps. 37:23-24]

8. Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem – Jesus tells the weeping women to mourn not for Him, but for themselves and their children, indicating the need for repentance. [Luke 23:27-31]

9. Jesus falls the third time – Nearing the end, Jesus collapses once more, yet He pushes forward to fulfill His mission. [Phil. 2:8]

10. Jesus is stripped of His garments – Stripped of His dignity, Jesus teaches us humility and detachment from material things. [John 19-23-24]

11. Jesus is nailed to the cross – His hands and feet are pierced as He endures extreme agony, demonstrating ultimate sacrifice and love. [Luke 23:33-34]

12. Jesus dies on the cross – Jesus breathes His last, offering His life for the redemption of all humanity. [Matt. 27:45-50]

13. Jesus is taken down from the cross – His lifeless body is placed in the arms of His faithful mother. [Luke 23:50-53]

14. Jesus is laid in the tomb – Jesus is buried, but His resurrection will bring hope and victory over death. [Matt. 27:59-60]

Important Tips:

Take your time at each station, allowing yourself to fully reflect.

Pray with sincerity, focusing on Jesus’ love and sacrifice.

Use Scripture and personal reflections to deepen your meditation.

Pray with others for a communal experience.

Love, hank

Hank Hohenstein, OFS

Land Steward

161 Osprey Vista

Shady Cove, OR 97539
Cell: 541-973-5442

hankhohenstein@gmail.com