Martin Madalai Muthu csc –
Readings: 1Sam 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13; Eph 5:8-14; Jn 9:1-41
The fourth Sunday of the lent is known as Laetare Sunday. Traditionally, this Sunday has been a day of celebration, within the strict observance of the period of Lent. The colour of our liturgical vestments for today’s celebration is radiant rose, signifying hope and encouraging us to go after that light which will lead us and remove our darkness. In the first reading, God chooses David to be the king of Israel. Samuel saw the outer appearance of the persons, but God looked at the heart. God valued the goodness of David’s heart and chose him to guide the Israelites.
In the Gospel we see Jesus valued the blind man and delivered him from darkness. The entire chapter nine of the Gospel of John is given for us to reflect over the fact that Jesus is the light of the world. Jesus gives the physical light to the blind man and spiritual light to his disciples. The blind man progressed in seeing Jesus as the fullness of light and his saviour. He recognised Jesus as someone who seeks the lost and values the worth of everyone. In today’s situation, often we give importance to the external appearance devaluing the rich interiority that they are blessed with.
During this Lenten season let us examine ourselves to become aware of our tendency to have concern for the physical attributes and neglect the responsibility of nurturing the heart. Let us seek the grace of God to have the competence to see the reality of the world and the needs of the Church and have the courage to radiate his light upon them.