The fourth Sunday of Lent marks a threshold. No longer will the weekday readings call for prayer, fasting, and forgiving. Now they center on the life that Christ promises. The gospel book changes as well. For almost four weeks one of the Synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) was used. For the rest of Lent, we will read predominately from the Gospel of John, which presents Jesus as “the resurrection and the life”
We read from the prophet Isaiah which proclaimed something new is being offered from God. “I am about to create new heavens and a new earth” where the sufferings and sadnesses of life shall not be remembered, where there shall always be “rejoicing and happiness”.
One of the saints said, compared to the joys of heaven, all of the sufferings of our earthly life will be like a night spent in an uncomfortable motel. And so there is certainly an element of the Christian life to enduring the earthly sufferings we cannot change—keeping Christian faith amidst the suffering leads to life.
“Seek good and not evil so that you may live” our Gospel acclamation proclaimed. Certainly we need to rid our lives of evil: selfish attitudes, perverse imaginings, constant social climbing. And we need to engage in works of charity.
But the greatest good is found in Jesus Christ. Jesus seems perturbed with the royal official when he says, “’Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will not believe.’” He is wary of people’s faith that is based solely on the miraculous. For Jesus came not simply to satisfy our earthly desires or physical needs, but to grant eternal life.
During these last few weeks of Lent, we will read about Jesus’ great suffering: the depths of His love for us can be seen in his embrace of his Passion and Death. We are reminded by today’s reading that he suffers so that we may have eternal life. Without Jesus’ self-sacrifice on Good Friday, there would be no hope of the promises of happiness and eternal joy we read of today.
We do well though to intensify our Lenten penances now that we have crossed the threshold to the second half of Lent; yes, that we may continue restrain our earthly vices and grow in charity, but also that we may be filled with the very life Jesus won for us on the cross, for He is the only source of authentic rejoicing and gladness, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
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For Peace in those nations of the world most threatened by hatred, division, and violence, and for the protection of the men and women in our armed forces. We pray to the Lord.
That all families will commit themselves to fervent prayer this Lent so as to grow in greater love and holiness. We pray to the Lord.
That civil leaders will use their authority to protect the dignity of human life and the well-being of the poor, the marginalized, the oppressed, and those who suffer from discrimination. We pray to the Lord.
For the physical, emotional, and spiritual healing of all people, especially the spiritually blind and hard of heart. We pray to the Lord.
For all those who have died, for all the poor souls in purgatory, for those who have fought and died for our country’s freedom. We pray to the Lord.
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