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Lenten Season · Ash Wednesday · Year A

Joel 2:12-18

Rend Your Heart

February 18, 2026

Saint Jerome and the Angel of Judgment, Jusepe de Ribera
Saint Jerome and the Angel of Judgment, Jusepe de Ribera, 1626Museo di Capodimonte, Naples
The angel blows the trumpet directly into the old man's ear, and Jerome recoils with the book still open in front of him.Blow the trumpet in Zion; sanctify a fast; call a solemn assembly.Jusepe de RiberaA Spaniard who spent his working life in Naples, painting saints and philosophers as weathered, specific, often elderly men.Museo di Capodimonte, NaplesA Bourbon palace above Naples, holding the Farnese collection and the greatest Neapolitan paintings.Museo di Capodimonte, Naples
Roman Lectionary
GospelMatt. 6:1-6, 16-18Mt 6:1-6, 16-18
Second Reading2 Cor. 5:20-6:22 Cor 5:20-6:2
First ReadingJoel 2:12-18Jl 2:12-18
Responsorial PsalmPs. 51:3-4, 5-6ab, 12-13, 14+17Ps 51:3-4, 5-6ab, 12-13, 14+17

Overview & Insights

“Return to me with all your heart… and rend your hearts and not your garments.” (Joel 2:12-13)

This is one passage in Joel where it is absolutely necessary that we understand what the original Hebrew says, because the NIV translation has missed the force of the opening words. Verse 12 begins with “ But even now,” the “but” being translated from what is known as a waw adversative, and it is that “but” that is all important.

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Commentary

Commentary on Joel 2:1-2, 12-17Commentary on Jl 2:1-2, 12-17 Working Preacher

Luther Seminary commentary on Joel's trumpet call to return to the LORD with fasting, weeping, and torn hearts.

Joel 2 CommentaryJl 2 Commentary Enduring Word · David Guzik

David Guzik on the day of the LORD and the call to rend your heart and not your garments.

Joel 2:12 CommentariesJl 2:12 Commentaries BibleHub

Classic and modern commentators gathered on Joel 2:12.

Joel CommentariesJl Commentaries Precept Austin

Deep verse-by-verse study library with word studies and cross-references on Joel.

Ash Wednesday Agape Bible Study

Catholic study of Joel's summons to repentance as the Ash Wednesday first reading (Catholic).

Background & Word Study

Joel 2 (Sefaria, Hebrew and English)Jl 2 (Sefaria, Hebrew and English) Sefaria

Hebrew and English text of Joel 2 with classical Jewish commentaries alongside.

Joel 2:12 InterlinearJl 2:12 Interlinear BibleHub

Hebrew word-by-word text of Joel 2:12 with parsing and Strong's numbers.

Book of Joel OverviewBook of Jl Overview BibleProject

Animated overview of Joel and its vision of the day of the LORD and the outpoured Spirit.

The Church Fathers

Church Fathers on Joel 2 (Catena)Church Fathers on Jl 2 (Catena) Catena

Verse-linked patristic commentary on Joel 2.

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