How easy it is to fall back on old habits! The “old way” of doing is so comfortable. Trying to change something in my life takes work, so I need to undertake the change in “baby steps” so that I’m not overwhelmed and get discouraged because conversion is not easy. The journey to the light can sometimes be made in darkness….
In the readings of this 4th Sunday of Lent, I discover that the People of God forgot time and again how God loved them. They were unfaithful and worshiped the gods of the people surrounding them, adopting their customs, forgetting the Commandments given to them. Prophets came and went, and now their country was under Roman rule. People did their best to obey the Law and the Prophets.
However, it was time for the Messiah to arrive. Jesus of Nazareth proclaimed the Good News.
People began to believe and follow him. Nicodemus was a scholar and faithful Jew who heard Jesus speak and wanted to understand his message better. Jesus enlightened him:
“Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. . .
The light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light, But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God”(cf. Jn 3:14-21 )
Saint Paul also reminds us that “God, who is rich in mercy, because of the great love he had for us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, brought us to life with Christ, raised us up with him”. (cf. Eph 2:4-10)
During this fourth week of Lent, may we remember that God is with us, is for us, and loves us more than we can ever imagine. It is worthwhile abandoning ourselves to God’s infinite mercy, love, and perseveres on the journey through darkness, desert and light toward Easter Sunday.
Prayer
Look upon those who call to you, O Lord, and sustain the weak, give life by your unfailing light to those who walk in the shadow of death, and bring those rescued by your mercy from every evil to reach the highest good. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. (cf. Living with Christ)
Submitted by Sr. Janice Fournier, p.m.
I am the Lord your God: hear my voice.
“There shall be no strange god among you
nor shall you worship any alien god.
I, the LORD, am your God
who led you forth from the land of Egypt.”
I am the Lord your God: hear my voice.
“If only my people would hear me,
and Israel walk in my ways,
I would feed them with the best of wheat,
and with honey from the rock I would fill them.”
I am the Lord your God: hear my voice.
PSALM 81