Fourth Sunday of Lent

Reflection

As we begin this fourth week of Lent, we take a look at the beginning of a young shepherd’s journey to becoming King. Jesse presents seven of eight sons at the sacrifice and yet God knows David, who is out tending the sheep, is the one He will use to bring His son into the world. This same son, our Christ, brings light into our darkness and gives sight to the blind. He brings sinners back to union and provides all that is needed during this journey through the desert of Lent. 

On this fourth Sunday, we are given a small reminder of the light of Christ and, further, the conclusion of our Lenten struggles ushers in our redemption. The Gospel today depicts the story of the man born blind, calling to mind our own blindness. A man blind from birth gains his sight and the initial reaction is to deny he was ever blind, then to question if Jesus was able to heal him, and for some to remain in the darkness of doubt at the end. In curing the man’s blindness Jesus cures ours as well, but we — like the Pharisees — often are distracted by parts, failing to see the whole and choosing to not let Christ’s light radiate through us. 

As we near the end of this Lenten journey are we letting Christ’s light in with its many forms or are we discounting it for the means it comes to us? Let us choose light.

Prayer

Dear Lord, as we continue to walk with you in this desert of Lent, may we choose to let your light in, allowing it to radiate through us to those who have yet to see.

Nick Wracker, ’26

Scripture

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

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website