4th Sunday of Lent, Year B: Homily by Fr Justin Adiele
THEME: “CHOOSING THE LIGHT OF GOODNESS”
INTRODUCTION:
Today is the fourth Sunday of Lent, otherwise called ‘Laetare’ Sunday, or Rejoice Sunday. Today we ease up a bit the mournful and sorrowful mood of Lent with the sound of instruments to remind ourselves of the joy and glory that lies ahead for those who have chosen serve the loving Saviour whose passion we celebrate this season. Our rejoicing and joy would be complete if only we choose and embrace the light of goodness over the darkness evil in our lives.
THE FIRST READING (2 CHRON. 36: 14–16. 19–23)
In the first reading, the author berated (condemned) how the priests and the people of God have chosen to be exceedingly unfaithful to God; chosen to follow all the abominations of the nations; chosen to pollute the house of God; and chosen to mock the messengers and message of God. These bad choices later cost them their lives, property, joy and freedom, as they suffered defeat and exile at the hands of the Chaldeans of Babylon. This shows us that there is no certainty of joy or rejoicing for those who have persistently chosen evil over good, and fallen short of the glory of God, and fallen out of the canopy of God’s compassionate love.
THE SECOND READING (EPH. 2: 4–10)
The second reading talked about the immeasurable rich mercy and love of God towards us through Christ whose passion we commemorate this Lent. Amidst our trespasses and gross unfaithfulness, God still finds a way to save and raise us up again through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. God redeems and recreates us in Christ Jesus for good works. If we sincerely choose to be good through our Lenten observance and resolutions, the love and grace of God in all its richness will continue to abide with us, and joy would be the end product of our lives; and the cause for joy will never cease in our homes.
THE GOSPEL READING (JN. 3: 14–21)
In the gospel reading as in the first reading, Jesus lamented at the rate men choose darkness over light; lies over truth; evil over goodness; and unbelief over faith in the Son of God. And these are high ways to temporal and eternal sorrows. Jesus wanted us to understand that we shall rejoice when we choose to believe in Him the Son of God. We shall rejoice when we choose the light over darkness. We shall rejoice when we choose to do what is true, good and right, and quit doing evil. We shall rejoice when we remain under the love and saving grace of Jesus Christ. But if we persist in our dark and evil choices/deeds, then condemnation and sorrows are one step away from us.
CONCLUSION:
Choose you this Lent, a return to faithfulness to God. Choose you this season, to purify the house of the Lord which is your body/life, which you have polluted with sin. Choose you this day, to walk/live in the light, right and true ways of Christ. Choose you this Lenten season, a trip to the loving and saving mercy of God which is still open and accessible to us through the sacrament of penance. And you shall come rejoicing today and ever after, into His Easter glory and eternal glory.
Happy Sunday!
Fr. Justin