Brothers and sisters: You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.”
~ Ephesians 5:8“
Dear Friend,
St. Paul says we should live as children of light. I think that’s really good advice.
You have to admit: we just don’t do well in the dark. We hurt ourselves… we bump into things… we get lost. Today’s reading tells us what we know in our hearts: that by welcoming the light of Christ into our lives, we leave the darkness behind. For us that means relationship problems, disappointments, the setbacks and the hurts. In Christ we can see as the blind man in today’s readings was able to see. Jesus anointed his eyes with clay and then told him to go and wash in the pool of Siloam. At once his eyes were opened and he gave praise.
This parable is a great lesson. Once we realize the power of Christ’s message, we not only see the light. We become the light.
We’re now less than a month away from Holy Week and Easter Sunday. Think how you can be the light of Christ for someone close to you: a parent or sibling, a spouse, a child, a friend, a neighbor. See how you can be more light to them than darkness.
Adam, here’s the Good News: all the things that bring light are yours to give: solace and comfort, kindness and encouragement, forgiveness and hope. Be generous in the giving and you will be blessed as St. Paul’s child of light.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Father Raymond J. Finch, M.M.
Prayer for 4th Sunday of Lent
O Lord, You are the light of the world,
let Your word be a lamp to our feet
and Your gospel a guiding star
to show us the way to You.
May Your truth enlighten all who dwell
in darkness and the shadow of death
and may the radiance of Your truth
brighten even the darkest night.
With You ever by my side
let me face each day’s trials
with courage and peace.
You who calmed the storm and
shattered the gates of hell
gather us all into Your kingdom.
Amen.
Prayer by Maryknoll Missioner, Father Joseph Veneroso
