Fourth Sunday of Lent - March 19, 2023

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1 Samuel 16:1b,6-7,10-13a Ephesians 5:8-14 John 9:1-41

In today’s second reading we hear the words “you were once darkness, but now you are light in the lord. Live as children of light, for light produces every kind of goodness and righteousness and truth. Try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.” In our hurried life day to day, minute to minute, many times it is easy to forget to live as children of light. We easily succumb to the rapid dealings of our earthly mode, the seemingly endless tasks we burden ourselves with. We forget about the “Light” God has given us at every step and every encounter we maneuver throughout each day.

Today we should “try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.” We should try to give a smile to a stranger as we walk to our next destination. We can pleasantly return a greeting from all whom we interact with. If we slow our pace down, we can see the bright Light that God has bestowed upon us even if we feel our situation is challenging and sorrowful. We can release our judgements, our weakness, and allow the light to make visible the beauty of our blessings.

As our Lenten journey continues this season may we allow the light around us to brighten our path and may we brighten the path of others around us. Might we hear the words that close this reading: “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.”

Q: What are two ways I will be a child of the light today?

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