FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT B
TAKE ME OUT OF THE DARK…
JN 3: 14-21
MESSAGE
Lord, I acknowledge that staying in the darkness is uncomfortable. There is not much I can see, and there is very little I can do. Surrounded by nothing but blackness, my mind has little room for creativity. But why do I prefer to hide in the dark? What is it about the darkness that leads me to seek it? In the dark, I can hide from people, from prying, judging eyes, and cruel, lashing tongues. In the dark, I do not feel the pressure of shame, pretension, or the need to keep up appearances. In the dark, I think I have a small world of my own; colorless, yes, but still safe enough for me, safe enough for my sins, my rebellion, my anger, my pain.
Yet, while I am in the darkness, Lord, I do not find delight in it. I long for the time when I will leave this hiding place to bask in your light. I await the moment when I will emerge from this blackness and feel the warmth of your love, forgiveness, compassion, and the protection of God. I want to step out of the dark abyss and my own cramped world to find myself in the spacious heart of your salvation and forgiveness. You entered the darkness of my sufferings. You know the darkness of all my sins, and you were not deterred from coming to embrace me and take me out of my hidden, dark world. Jesus, help me come to the light; help me find you, the Light of the world, the Light of my life.
REFLECT
This week, let us reflect on Jesus as the Savior who comes not to condemn but to save, and as the Light who dispels the darkness. Let us prepare our hearts to leave the dark spots of our sins in the Sacrament of Confession and our anxieties and pains in spiritual direction or counseling. Let us be willing to do sacrifices of love and penances of compassion to be worthy to welcome the Light of Jesus our Lord.
