Today, the Fourth Sunday of Lent, we hear the well-known scripture passage from the Gospel of St. John. We’ve all seen the signs that people hold up at sports events and other large gatherings that say: “John 3:16.” For those hearing the Cycle B Readings (everyone but the 9:30 mass goers), today you will hear the John 3:16 Scripture passage during the reading of the Gospel: “For God so loved the world that He gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.” St. Paul tells us today that because of grace⎯God’s great mercy and love⎯we are saved. That’s what John 3:16 is all about. The Gospel contains the image of Christ as light ⎯an appropriate image that reminds us of our own Christian initiation.
The image of Christ as light is one we can all relate to; we cannot see if there is no light! We are all sometimes perilously blind to the ways in which our actions, words, thoughts and desires can jeopardize our eternal salvation. Our redemption in Christ must begin with an honest assessment of our true nature, and then repentance comes through authentic conversion. St. Paul tells us that “everything exposed by the light becomes visible.” He is talking about us living in the light of Christ, “for light produces every kind of goodness and righteousness and truth.”
In the O.C.I.A Rite (9:30 Mass) this weekend (about the man born blind who regains his sight through Jesus), we pray to pass from darkness to light and, delivered from the prince of darkness, to live always as children of the light. This is a wonderful prayer for all of us—not just those Elect who are being initiated.
As we continue our Lenten journey, there are so many ways to enliven and en-lighten our faith, to enkindle the spirit: attend the Penance Services, the praying the Stations of the Cross as a Community, break bread together at the Friday Fish Dinner offered at St. Aidan. There are Christian Service activities, prayer groups, bible and scripture studies that take place regularly. Plan to attend the Triduum and take part in Holy Week!
Remember: we did not earn salvation; it was a gift of love and grace by which we have all been saved.
Keep singing!
Elizabeth Dyc
The image of Christ as light is one we can all relate to; we cannot see if there is no light! We are all sometimes perilously blind to the ways in which our actions, words, thoughts and desires can jeopardize our eternal salvation. Our redemption in Christ must begin with an honest assessment of our true nature, and then repentance comes through authentic conversion. St. Paul tells us that “everything exposed by the light becomes visible.” He is talking about us living in the light of Christ, “for light produces every kind of goodness and righteousness and truth.”
In the O.C.I.A Rite (9:30 Mass) this weekend (about the man born blind who regains his sight through Jesus), we pray to pass from darkness to light and, delivered from the prince of darkness, to live always as children of the light. This is a wonderful prayer for all of us—not just those Elect who are being initiated.
As we continue our Lenten journey, there are so many ways to enliven and en-lighten our faith, to enkindle the spirit: attend the Penance Services, the praying the Stations of the Cross as a Community, break bread together at the Friday Fish Dinner offered at St. Aidan. There are Christian Service activities, prayer groups, bible and scripture studies that take place regularly. Plan to attend the Triduum and take part in Holy Week!
Remember: we did not earn salvation; it was a gift of love and grace by which we have all been saved.
Keep singing!
Elizabeth Dyc
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