Meditation
for the 4th 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 19th, 2023.
