4th Sunday of Lent ~ 18th March 2012

>“Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light”.
(John 3:19)

John’s Gospel uses a lot of imagery around light and darkness. We can get so caught up in the darkness around us, in our families, our communities, our country. This week we focus on the light.

Prayer suggestions for the week:
Try to spend at least 5-10 minutes in prayer each day this week. How is your sacred space doing? This week add some symbol that represents the lights of this world – people who offer service of every kind, those who put love into action.

1. Breathing exercises: As you have been doing for the past two weeks, focusing on your breathing: take three deep slow breaths, then focus on your normal breathing. Do this for as long as you can. This is the breath of life. Thank God for this gift. Repeat the following:
“Be.
Be Still.
Be still and know.
Be still and know that I am God”
(Psalm 46:10)

2. Gospel reflection John 9:1-41
• This Sunday’s Gospel is not easy reading as it is a challenging invitation from Jesus. If we accept the invitation we must be aware of the consequences:
• One is that you believe that Jesus is God’s Son and that God loves you and the rest of humanity so much that He gave Jesus as a gift to the world. The other consequence is that you acknowledge that God’s love for you is never-ending.
• The imagery in this text of light and darkness, belief and unbelief, emphasises how serious God is about offering us this gift of Jesus.
Adapted from Ciaran O’Callaghan The Year of the Suffering Servant, (Redemptorist 2011, p. 61).

• Jesus preached a message of salvation not condemnation. What a difference that attitude would make if we could embrace it. Condemning others and ourselves comes too easily to us. The real task is to see the good and work to bring that out in those around us.

Do you see light or darkness?
• Is your judgement of others formed by prejudice?
• Are you aware of your own light?
• Do you appreciate your own gifts? What are they?
• Are you generous in seeing the good points in others?

Before you go to sleep:
This week, before you go to sleep at night, think back over your day. What were the moments of light? What were the moments of darkness or negativity? Name those moments and give them to God.

When you are out and about this week:

Where is the face of Christ to be seen today?

Do you see the face of Christ in those with whom you work?
Open my eyes Lord, help me to see your face in this world.

Do you see the face of Christ in the poor and the homeless?
Open my eyes Lord, help me to see your face in this world.

Do you see the face of Christ in the refugee?
Open my eyes Lord, help me to see your face in this world.

Do you see the face of Christ in the teacher and the social worker?
Open my eyes Lord, help me to see your face in this world.

Do you see the face of Christ in the drug addict?
Open my eyes Lord, help me to see your face in this world.

Thought for the Week:
“What I do, you cannot do; but what you do I cannot do. The needs are great, and none of us, including me, ever do great things. But we can all do small things with great love, and together we can do something wonderful.”
Blessed Teresa of Calcutta