Fourth Sunday of Lent 2023

Written on: March 15, 2023

March 19, 2023

First Reading: 1st Samuel 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13a
Psalm 23: 1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6
Second Reading: Ephesians 5: 8-14
Gospel: John 9:1-41

From: Sister Jean Liston (reflection and image)    

In the second reading from Ephesians Paul challenges us to “Live as children of the Light.” We all know darkness can overpower us.

To become children of the light and followers of Jesus, we must be discerning persons. To discern, we must have an ability to sift through numerous circumstances and possibilities and determine what God reveals as the best solution to what causes our darkness.

In the first reading, Samuel was sent to Jesse to identify which of Jesse’s sons would be king. Samuel, however, was not accepting any of Jesse’s sons. Because Samuel was a discerning person, he asked Jesse if he had another son. Jesse’s youngest son, David, was then invited from the field where he was tending the flocks. As soon as Samuel met the young man, Samuel knew that David should be king. Here we see that light overcame darkness.

We know that to cultivate a discerning heart we must “Be Still” and have a heart open to God’s wisdom, which will always be revealed to us.

In the Gospel of John, we see a concrete example of Jesus bringing sight to a man born blind. Jesus searched the man’s heart and saw his faith. The man believed in Jesus’ ability to heal him of his physical infirmity. Jesus cures the man and then confronts the Pharisees as they criticize him for His action, which went against Sabbath law.

Jesus seeks to bring all of us out of darkness as we search for and accept the light. What does it mean for each of us who claim to be “children of the light?”

We have seen Samuel accept what happens when he prays and listens to his heart.
We have seen Jesus cure a blind man because of the man’s deep faith.

In these remaining days of Lent, let us resolve to turn away from the darkness of sin and be faithful to the light of the Gospel. We must resolve to embrace the light and follow the “Light of the World.”

Action: Listen to the song “Open Our Hearts” by Jesse Manibusan. Reflect on the words of the song, pray, and determine how you will be a “follower of the light.”

How will the challenges of these Lenten days bring us closer to the light?

For printable copy, click here: Fourth Sunday of Lent 2023

Additional Lenten reflection here: Second Sunday of Lent 2023

and here: Purification and Enlightenment- Lent 2023

This entry was posted in From our Sisters and tagged: action, Believed, children, cure, darkness, David, discerning, embrace, Ephesians, Faith, faithful, field, flocks, follower, God, Gospel of John, heart, Jesse, Jesus, king, Lenten, light, open, persons, Pharisees, possibilities, Sabbath Law, Samuel, sight, solution, St. Paul, wisdom