Unpacking The Mass with Keith Nester

Episode: 1st Sunday in Lent - Year A
Date: February 18, 2026

Episode Overview

In this episode, Keith Nester launches the Lenten season by guiding listeners through the Sunday Mass readings for the 1st Sunday in Lent. He emphasizes Lent as a time for preparation, repentance, and a deepened recognition of God’s mercy. Through scriptural reflection and practical application, Keith explores the dynamics of shame, the necessity of receiving mercy, and how the temptations of Christ reveal strategies for spiritual growth during Lent.

Key Themes and Discussion Points

1. Understanding Lent: Preparation and Mercy

• Lent as Recalibration and Repentance
  Keith begins by framing Lent not as a period simply for “giving things up,” but as a time to recalibrate our hearts and acknowledge our need for God’s mercy.

  “Lent is a time of preparation. It's a time of repentance and a recalibration of the recognition that we need God's mercy and we are given some tools to get there.” (01:08)

• Mercy Must Be Received
  Mercy is framed as a gift that requires acceptance; it’s not forced upon us.

  “Mercy is like this incredible gift that we've been given by God, but it's a gift that we have to accept.” (02:06)

2. The Role of Shame: Good vs. Bad Shame

• Distinction Between Good and Bad Shame
  Keith introduces the idea that not all shame is destructive:

  “There's good shame and there's bad shame. The good shame draws you closer to Jesus so that you can receive mercy, whereas the bad shame drives you away from him.” (04:19)

• Examples from Scripture
  • Adam and Eve’s reaction to sin: shame and hiding from God (29:18)
  • St. Peter’s confession of sinfulness—yet Jesus calls him regardless (33:40)
  • Isaiah’s sense of unworthiness, yet being called and cleansed to serve (34:45)
• Practical Application
  Lent is not about being “beaten down” but about recognizing where we need mercy and accepting it.

3. Scripture Readings and Their Significance

Genesis 2-3: The Fall

• Keith recounts the creation story and the fall, emphasizing universal participation in sin and the subsequent need for mercy.

  “How did we get into this mess anyway? This mess of sin, this mess of a broken universe? It's because of what we saw in the first reading when Adam and Eve… the truth is, we all participate in sin.” (28:25)

• Even in the Fall, God’s plan for redemption is present (reference to Genesis 3:15).

Romans 5:12-19: Adam and Christ

• Paul’s teaching that, as sin and death came through Adam, so justification and life come through Christ.
• Emphasis that salvation is a free gift, not earned, and requires cooperation.

  “This is God's plan. God didn't say to humanity, you guys fix it. He said, I will fix it. Why? Because we can't fix it, friend.” (38:40)

• Salvation is relational, not merely transactional.

Matthew 4:1-11: Temptation of Jesus

• Jesus is tempted in three main areas:
  • Identity (“If you are the Son of God...”)
  • Fleshly Needs (turning stones to bread)
  • Relationship with the Father (testing God's protection) (51:09)
• Points of contrast between Eve’s and Jesus’ responses to temptation.

  “We have to compare this with what happens with Jesus, with what happens with Eve, and then, of course, with what happens in ourselves.” (51:58)

• Emphasis on scripture as defense: Jesus responds to every temptation with scripture, but Keith warns that even the devil misuses scripture out of context.

  “Don't think for a second that the Bible can't be used against us at times... The devil used the Bible against Jesus, who's the word made flesh. Don't think that it can't be used against you.” (55:20)

4. Practical Takeaways for Lent

• Cooperation with Grace
  Mercy is a gift, but it is not imposed; it’s entered into freely with cooperation.

  “Just as that gift has been given, it must be received. You can give me a check for a million dollars as a gift, but if I don't open the envelope... then what good is that gift done me? Nothing.” (43:54)

• Purpose of Penance
  • Acts of penance are not about “paying back” Jesus, but about recognizing the cost of sin and cooperating with God’s grace to heal temporal consequences.

  “When we offer penance, it's as if we're saying to God, hey, I know I can't pay back what you've done for me, but here's something I can do to offer myself in repentance...” (47:38)

• Areas of Temptation to Fortify Against
  • Identity, the needs of the flesh, relationship with God
  • Fasting, prayer, and penance help guard against temptation in these areas (57:10)
• Goal: The Best Lent Ever
  • True success in Lent isn’t in external achievements but in receiving mercy and living as redeemed children of God.

  “Maybe something that we need to collectively give up is self-condemnation and rather instead to take on our true identity as those who have received this incredible gift of mercy. If you do that... we will have the best Lent ever.” (01:01:10)

Memorable Quotes & Notable Moments

• On Accepting Mercy:

  “You can't hide from God. And then what does he do? Oh, it was the woman's fault. He makes excuses, right? See, there's good shame and there's bad shame. Bad shame causes us to cover ourselves and hide away, to turn away from God and to make excuses because we don't want to face it. But that's not what we're called to do in Lent.” (31:35)

• On the Nature of Salvation:

  “We're saved not by works, we're saved by grace through faith. We're saved because we put our faith in what Christ has done for us. And that faith involves all of the things that lead into that, of course.” (41:16)

• On Temptation:

  “We have to know what the Bible means, not just what it can be made to say. And what's the best way to know what it means? To study it in the context of the church...” (56:45)

• On Lenten Practice:

  “Whatever it is you give up for Lent... those fleshly things are just made to help us to resist the devil.” (01:00:05)

Important Timestamps

• 01:08 — Introduction to Lent: Purpose and attitude
• 04:19 — Good Shame vs. Bad Shame
• 29:18 — Reflection on Genesis: The Fall and shame
• 33:40 — Peter’s encounter with Jesus (shame yet still called)
• 38:40 — Salvation as God’s plan and our cooperation
• 43:54 — Analogy: Receiving the gift of mercy
• 47:38 — The Catholic understanding of penance
• 51:09 — Temptations of Jesus in the desert
• 56:45 — Importance of church context in biblical interpretation
• 57:10 — Three main areas to fortify during Lent
• 01:01:10 — The “Best Lent Ever” is grounded in receiving mercy, not self-condemnation

Final Reflections

Keith Nester’s message weaves through the readings a central theme: Lent is about facing our sin honestly, accepting the mercy freely given by God through Christ, and responding with gratitude and cooperation. True penance is not self-reproach but a heartfelt reception of mercy that produces authentic change. Lent’s ultimate goal is not external abstinence, but a renewed identity as beloved, redeemed children of God.