THE UNFADING LIGHT

Meditation for the 4^th Sunday of Lent
(1 Sam 16:1, 6-7, 10-13; Eph 5:8-14; Jn 9:1-41)

Darkness reigns in the absence of light. At the right time, light breaks forth and scatters the darkness, dispelling even its shadows. The power of light is so strong that darkness has no life in its presence. The immediate and wholesome entry of light unveils beauty, goodness, vision, peace and joy! We can liken it to the unannounced entry of Samuel to the house of Jesse. He came as light to reveal who among the sons of Jesse was the real strong one, the exalted and chosen one. “For the Lord sees not as man sees; man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” As Samuel anointed David, the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him. All were surprised, it was as if a flood of light revealed what was hidden in the dark. The little ruddy boy, the youngest and weakest of them all, is revealed as the Lord’s chosen and the greatest of them all.

 

As Jesus cures the man born blind, He declares, “As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” After regaining his sight, the man faced opposition from neighbors and the Pharisees. We come to understand that darkness does not give way to light without putting up some fight. It will always want to bounce back to oppose the illumination from the light. Though the light shines in darkness, and darkness cannot over power it (Jn 1:5). Those who reject the light of truth will always try to cast the shadow of darkness and oppose the light. Some of the neighbors who used to give him alms doubted the man’s testimony. The pharisees were even hostile to him; they questioned him several times, demanded that he denounced Jesus to be a sinner because he performed the miracle on the Sabbath. To their greatest surprise, the poor beggar began to lecture them about the workings of God. Since they could not succeed, they hurled abuses at him, and expelled him from the synagogue.

 

Once again, as the light breaks forth, pierces through, and scatters every darkness, Jesus stepped forward, and reassured the man with His presence. He dispelled every fear and doubt, and the man’s faith began to shine more eagerly. Hence, the man responded, “Lord, I believe.” Thus, Jesus cured the man’s blindness and illumined his heart. This is the light that shines in our hearts through faith in Jesus Christ; a light that the intervening presence of Jesus shines within us. The second reading says, “Once you were in darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light.”

 

To walk as children of light means to do what is pleasing to the Lord, and to avoid works of darkness. Our society today is walking blindly in the darkness of fear, poverty, unforgiveness, division, and all sorts of immorality. As long as we remain with Jesus, we shall have the light of life. Our duty is to expose these evils by shining the light of Christ upon them. “When anything is exposed by the light it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light.” Though the light has come and is in our midst, people prefer darkness to the light because their deeds are evil (Jn 3:19). Therefore, there must be opposition whenever we want to radiate the light of truth, kindness, charity, unity, freedom and peace. We cannot overcome our personal defects without some internal opposition. Darkness will always put-up resistance against the light. But the unfading light which Christ gives shines forth, pierces through and scatters every darkness. Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Ojo, Lagos.

Sunday March 19^th, 2023.

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