OUR LADY & ST BENEDICT'S

Fourth Sunday of Lent. Fr Benedict Jonak considers lives of comparisons.

It is very tiring to lead a life full of comparisons.

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On a personal level people often compare themselves to others in order to become more successful – this is chiefly because to be different from one another may give one a chance to be noticed, to stand out, and a chance to stand out seems to lead to a more successful future. Or so they say.

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On a social level, comparing myself (and my people) to another (to the people who are not part of my group) can give me an excuse why I can stop caring, stop loving, or even the reason why I can start blaming someone for the problems that we all share.

In today’s Gospel Christ is being hated because he stands out from the crowd. He dares to do what other don’t, he heals on a Sabbath day and they ‘don’t know where he comes from’.

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But the Lord does not do it in order to draw everyone’s attention to himself, or to cause outrage and scandal. What makes his name known in the region is not a carefully planned publicity stunt but an act of mercy. And by doing so Jesus not only reminds us that ‘God does not see as man sees: man looks at appearances but the Lord looks at the heart’, but also gives us the power of life and love: he refreshes our hearts and minds.

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We have reached a halfway mark in Lent and we are already looking forward to Easter Vigil, when Christ, Light from Light, and the true light of the world, will be revealed to us as the Lord of Life. He will enlighten our minds and hearts, so that we can see with him and look at others as he does: without fault-finding and unhealthy comparisons. Today we rejoice because of his coming, not just for ourselves but especially with and for catechumens, for those who are preparing for baptism on that great night.

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Rejoice, Jerusalem, and all who love her. Be joyful, all who were in mourning; exult and be satisfied at her consoling breast.

There are three themes that take a prominent place in the readings beginning last Sunday: water, light and life. They are especially chosen for the catechumens, who undergo a second scrutiny today. It is likewise an invitation for you and me: those who are already baptised, to further examine our hearts and minds. To strengthen our resolve to follow Christ.

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It is Christ who makes me a new creation. He has re-fashioned my being, washed the eyes of my soul, so that I may see, so that I have the ability to see through appearances and discern what is true. He has anointed my humanity with his divinity, so that I can have a share in his Spirit.

It is he, who lets me see the strangers around me not simply as rivals who compete with me for resources and who pose a threat to my sphere of influence, but as brothers and sisters, even if they do not yet believe.

He who humbled himself and loved us while ‘we were still sinners’ so that we ‘may have life, and have it to the full’ also gives me that same power to bring light and life to those who do not yet believe.

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The light that he gives does not simply illumine my darkness but also changes me from within, so that it is ‘no longer I that live, but Christ who died and rose for me’.

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His light makes me the light of the world.

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If you believe in the Son of Man, and worship him, you will have a share in his life and light. He who leads you to ‘fresh and green pastures and revives your drooping spirit’, will also strengthen you in times of difficulties.

He will give you the courage to bear witness to him among persecutions, he will give you the power to rise from your sins and death, and see the light of life and the resurrection of the world to come.

Readings: 1 Samuel 16:1,6-7,10-13 | Ephesians 5:8-14 | John 9:1-41