Fourth Sunday of Lent 2020

These are strange times, to be sure! But my brothers and sisters, I have Good News! Jesus tells us in the Gospel, “I am in the light of the world,” (John 9:5). That is such an important message for us all to hear and to believe. And it is an important message for us to share.

Someone you know right now is a healthcare worker, or a police officer or in the national guard or some other person vital to helping us get through this crisis, like people who work at power plants, sanitation workers, employees at grocery stores, pharmacies, cell phone companies, even online entertainment streaming companies. It’s so easy to be overcome by news about the virus or about the economy, especially for people who put their faith in the world.

But my brothers and sisters, we are saved only by Jesus Christ. There are people out there right now who are nervous or frightened. But Christian disciples – those who are born anew through the waters of baptism and accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, are called to bear witness to the truth.

As St. Paul tells us today, we need to live as children of the light, (Ephesians, 5:8). We need to share the light of Jesus Christ with others and we need to care of our Christian communities.

What does that mean? Let’s talk through some practical discipleship, in no particular order.

First, if you know someone who works in healthcare, law enforcement, the national guard, or some other employee who is required to work right now, reach out to them. They may not be able to receive a call, but maybe send them a text message or if you can, mail them a card. Let them know you are praying for them, and as one of my friends in the UK says, let them know how bloody marvelous they are!

Second, check on your family and friends – especially anyone you know who lives alone. Stay connected. Sure, messenger apps are fine, but actually try to call. Talk to encourage each other and find out if there is anything they need. It’s totally possible to help. An expat friend living in Ireland was able to reach out to a grocery store in the States and arrange for a grocery order and delivery to an elderly relative. Technology gives us so many creative opportunities to help one another. Don’t underestimate how you can help.

For those who can venture out, asking your friends, especially those who live alone and might be at higher risk, if you can pick up something for them while you’re out is a huge help! Even a book of crossword puzzles can really help lift spirits.

And one of the final things you can do, don’t forget about your Christian community – the physical building that is the anchor of our Christian communities. Regardless of the situation, you’ve got to keep the lights on – you’ve got to pay the bills. So please, if you can, send your regular contribution to your local church. They really need the money to help keep the doors so that when this crisis is over, we can all come back together.

We are Christian and if there ever was a time to show your love for others, it’s now.

Like the old Christian hymn says, “And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love, yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love!”

Homework! Nourished by the Word of God proclaimed and by an act of Spiritual Communion, I ask you to reflect on the following two questions:

The blind man went and washed, and came back able to see. How can I be more attentive to the needs of those around me?
He said, “I do believe, Lord,” and he worshipped him. How can I dedicate more time to prayer, worship and service?

Do you got it? Do you get it? Good! Now go make disciples! Y’all stay safe and flatten the curve! May Almighty God bless you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit! +Amen!

References:

Lectio Divina Of The Gospels. Washington, D.C.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2019.
Martin, Francis and William M. Wright IV. The Gospel of John. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2015.
The Bible: A Study Bible freshly translated by Nicholas King. Buxhall, Suffolk UK: Kevin Mayhew, 2013.
Williamson, Peter S. Ephesians. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2009.

Catechism References: Easily search the Catechism at http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm

Christ the light of the nations, 280, 529, 748, 1165, 2466, 2715
Original Sin, 396-406
Jesus is the Son of David, 439, 496, 559, 2616
Christians are to be light of the world, 782, 1243, 2105
Witnessing to the truth, 905, 909, 2044, 2471-73
Liturgical signs and symbols, 1145-52
Baptism is illumination, 1216
Forgiveness of sins, 1229-33
Punishments of sin, 1263-64
Christian initiation, 1472-73
Various kinds of sin, 1852
Mortal sin, 1861
Idolatry, 2113
Covetousness as impurity and as greed, 2514-15; 2534-38
The pure in heart, 2518-19
Modesty, 2521-22
Greed, 2535-38

Fourth Sunday of Lent
Lectionary: 31
Mass Readings http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/032220.cfm

First Reading
1 Samuel 16:1B, 6-7, 10-13A
The LORD said to Samuel:
“Fill your horn with oil, and be on your way.
I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem,
for I have chosen my king from among his sons.”

As Jesse and his sons came to the sacrifice,
Samuel looked at Eliab and thought,
“Surely the LORD’s anointed is here before him.”
But the LORD said to Samuel:
“Do not judge from his appearance or from his lofty stature,
because I have rejected him.
Not as man sees does God see,
because man sees the appearance
but the LORD looks into the heart.”
In the same way Jesse presented seven sons before Samuel,
but Samuel said to Jesse,
“The LORD has not chosen any one of these.”
Then Samuel asked Jesse,
“Are these all the sons you have?”
Jesse replied,
“There is still the youngest, who is tending the sheep.”
Samuel said to Jesse,
“Send for him;
we will not begin the sacrificial banquet until he arrives here.”
Jesse sent and had the young man brought to them.
He was ruddy, a youth handsome to behold
and making a splendid appearance.
The LORD said,
“There—anoint him, for this is the one!”
Then Samuel, with the horn of oil in hand,
anointed David in the presence of his brothers;
and from that day on, the spirit of the LORD rushed upon David.

Responsorial
Psalm 23: 1-3A, 3B-4, 5, 6.
R. (1) The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
beside restful waters he leads me;
he refreshes my soul.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
He guides me in right paths
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk in the dark valley
I fear no evil; for you are at my side
With your rod and your staff
that give me courage.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
You spread the table before me
in the sight of my foes;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Only goodness and kindness follow me
all the days of my life;
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
for years to come.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

Second Reading
Ephesians 5:8-14
Brothers and sisters:
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.
Take no part in the fruitless works of darkness;
rather expose them, for it is shameful even to mention
the things done by them in secret;
but everything exposed by the light becomes visible,
for everything that becomes visible is light.
Therefore, it says:

“Awake, O sleeper,
and arise from the dead,
and Christ will give you light.”

Verse Before The Gospel
John 8:12
I am the light of the world, says the Lord;
whoever follows me will have the light of life.

Gospel
John 9:1-41
As Jesus passed by he saw a man blind from birth.
His disciples asked him,
“Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents,
that he was born blind?”
Jesus answered,
“Neither he nor his parents sinned;
it is so that the works of God might be made visible through him.
We have to do the works of the one who sent me while it is day.
Night is coming when no one can work.
While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
When he had said this, he spat on the ground
and made clay with the saliva,
and smeared the clay on his eyes,
and said to him,
“Go wash in the Pool of Siloam” —which means Sent—.
So he went and washed, and came back able to see.

His neighbors and those who had seen him earlier as a beggar said,
“Isn’t this the one who used to sit and beg?”
Some said, “It is, “
but others said, “No, he just looks like him.”
He said, “I am.”
So they said to him, “How were your eyes opened?”
He replied,
“The man called Jesus made clay and anointed my eyes
and told me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash.’
So I went there and washed and was able to see.”
And they said to him, “Where is he?”

He said, “I don’t know.”

They brought the one who was once blind to the Pharisees.
Now Jesus had made clay and opened his eyes on a sabbath.
So then the Pharisees also asked him how he was able to see.
He said to them,
“He put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and now I can see.”
So some of the Pharisees said,
“This man is not from God,
because he does not keep the sabbath.”
But others said,
“How can a sinful man do such signs?”
And there was a division among them.
So they said to the blind man again,
“What do you have to say about him,
since he opened your eyes?”
He said, “He is a prophet.”

Now the Jews did not believe
that he had been blind and gained his sight
until they summoned the parents of the one who had gained his sight.
They asked them,
“Is this your son, who you say was born blind?
How does he now see?”
His parents answered and said,
“We know that this is our son and that he was born blind.
We do not know how he sees now,
nor do we know who opened his eyes.
Ask him, he is of age;
he can speak for himself.”
His parents said this because they were afraid
of the Jews, for the Jews had already agreed
that if anyone acknowledged him as the Christ,
he would be expelled from the synagogue.
For this reason his parents said,
“He is of age; question him.”

So a second time they called the man who had been blind
and said to him, “Give God the praise!
We know that this man is a sinner.”
He replied,
“If he is a sinner, I do not know.
One thing I do know is that I was blind and now I see.”
So they said to him,
“What did he do to you?
How did he open your eyes?”
He answered them,
“I told you already and you did not listen.
Why do you want to hear it again?

Do you want to become his disciples, too?”
They ridiculed him and said,
“You are that man’s disciple;
we are disciples of Moses!
We know that God spoke to Moses,
but we do not know where this one is from.”
The man answered and said to them,
“This is what is so amazing,
that you do not know where he is from, yet he opened my eyes.
We know that God does not listen to sinners,
but if one is devout and does his will, he listens to him.
It is unheard of that anyone ever opened the eyes of a person born blind.
If this man were not from God,
he would not be able to do anything.”
They answered and said to him,
“You were born totally in sin,
and are you trying to teach us?”
Then they threw him out.

When Jesus heard that they had thrown him out,
he found him and said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?”
He answered and said,
“Who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?”
Jesus said to him,
“You have seen him,
the one speaking with you is he.”
He said,
“I do believe, Lord,” and he worshiped him.
Then Jesus said,
“I came into this world for judgment,
so that those who do not see might see,
and those who do see might become blind.”

Some of the Pharisees who were with him heard this
and said to him, “Surely we are not also blind, are we?”
Jesus said to them,
“If you were blind, you would have no sin;
but now you are saying, ‘We see,’ so your sin remains.

or
Jn 9:1, 6-9, 13-17, 34-38

As Jesus passed by he saw a man blind from birth.
He spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva,
and smeared the clay on his eyes,
and said to him,
“Go wash in the Pool of Siloam” — which means Sent —.
So he went and washed, and came back able to see.

They answered and said to him,
“You were born totally in sin,
and are you trying to teach us?”
Then they threw him out.

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