Weekly Reflection

A REFLECTION FOR THE 4^TH SUNDAY OF LENT (LAETARE SUNDAY)

In today’s first reading St. Paul, writing to the Ephesians, tells us that we are ‘light in the Lord’ and that we should try to discover what the Lord wants of us. Sometimes though, the way forward is unclear, so discernment is needed. In these unprecedented times many of us are confused and anxious, worrying over what is the best thing to do, fearful of what the future may hold. Today, more than ever, it is important to remember that the Lord is always with us. He suffered and died for us. He will never abandon us. Today, as every day, the light of Christ is within us. We must respond to this gift by goodness, right living and truth, allowing His light to illuminate both our world and the world of those around us.

In the Gospel reading, Jesus heals a man born blind. Through his encounter with Jesus, the blind man is brought into the light. Now able to see the world with clarity he witnesses to those around him; he becomes a disciple. The man is asked to wash in the Pool of Siloam, a name which means ‘sent’. Like the man in the Gospel, we too are being sent: to be light in the Lord, to witness to Him through goodness, right living and truth. As we offer these gifts to others, we bring the Light of Christ into a world which, at this moment, can seem very dark.

The cured man was driven away and isolated by society. Many of us may feel isolated at this time. Wherever we are, if we allow him in, Jesus will find us in the same way that he found the man in the Gospel. May we be transformed by the Lord’s healing touch so that we too can say, ‘Lord, I believe’. May we be Christ’s disciples bringing His light to our families, our community, and our world.