15 Mar 26 Sunday Week 4 Lent Laetare Sunday
1 Sam 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13a; Ps 23; Eph 5:8-14; John 9:1-41
Christ Passes by
This, the 4th Sunday of Lent, is also called Laetare Sunday. It gets its name from the first few words of the traditional entrance verses in Latin, “Laetare Jerusalem,” which means Rejoice Jerusalem. It is a day of joy in the middle of the Sacred Season of Lent. The readings remind us that God provides light, hope, and healing. In the Gospel, Jesus gives sight to someone born blind.
The traditional color of pink or rose indicates a glimpse of the joy that awaits us at Easter.
This 4th Sunday of Lent encourages us to pause and rejoice, even during Lent, reminding us that God’s love is greater than our mistakes. We are called to turn back to God and live in the light of His grace.
When Jesus passes by, what visibly happens? Think of a firetruck passing by. Its siren reverberates, creating a trail of sound that comes and lingers long before and after the truck is actually nearby. I always think of Christ’s presence in this way. Just like in today’s Gospel reading, the Lord’s presence touches the spirit of people before and after Jesus miraculously gives sight to the man born blind. People were debating and theorizing before and after the actual healing occurred.
Physically, the blind man’s world was in darkness. It’s not because the world was truly dark; it was his own vision that was blocked, but it seemed to all the more worsen when Jesus smeared his eyes with clay made from saliva and dust. Then he was told to wash at the Pool of Siloam. He still needed to be sent. His faith enabled him to obey. Washing at the Pool of Siloam was not only for his healing and gaining sight—Jesus was also guiding others into the light, out of the darkness that hampers their faith and relationship with God, from the darkness of being judgmental and the legalistic approach to faith. Jesus sent the physically blind to lead those who are spiritually hindered.
Just as David was anointed for the great task of leading God’s people, the blind man was anointed not with oil but with dirt from the earth. This also calls to mind the creation story, when man was formed from the dust of the earth. Yes, God creates and continues to re-create.
The challenge for us is to find God’s anointing even in the smallest, seemingly insignificant, or difficult and challenging circumstances we face. We also need to recognize that we are sent not only for our own benefit but also so that others may see how God brings light, hope, and healing. What impedes us may also be what others are going through. The light from our encounter with the Lord—as also noticed by others—may be the last glimmer of hope they cling to that can truly brighten, helping them embrace the light of Christ.
May Jesus, the Good Shepherd, use us as His staff to guide and to goad people to Himself. (Like this Crozier that I received at my Abbatial Blessing yesterday.)
Let the joy of encountering the Lord resonate within us. Let the goodness bestowed upon us, and the good we are enabled to do, serve as God’s invitation to deepen our and others’ faith, hope, and love.
… So that, in all things, God may be glorified
