Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Lent
Hopefully, by now the Lenten sacrifices of you have committed too have taken root in you. If not, it may be because you celebrate the Sunday’s as little Easters and reward yourself for a well disciplined six days. This has been my families practice. However, I realize as I get older the Sunday exemption actually makes the discipline of the other sixth days more difficult. In doing some research I have found that science seems to show that it takes three to four weeks to set a good habit in place and yet only three to four days to break one. In light of this, I will try to exercise my discipline through Easter Sunday in order to try to reset these good habits.
The readings today are not about habits; however they are about understanding what it means to be in a covenant relationship with the Lord. As we are reminded in the reading from Isaiah, God looks upon his servants with favor. God promises that he will provide for us. God loves us so much He comforts the people and shows mercy to the afflicted. “Saying to the prisoners: Come Out! To those in darkness: Show yourselves!” (Is 49: 9a)
Indeed the Lord’s sole desire for us is to be free from the bondage of sin and to be people of light. And even though we struggle with sin the psalmist echoes Isaiah’s image of a compassionate God. “The Lord is near to all who call on him….in truth.” (Ps 145:18) Our gracious and merciful Lord, will lift us up and draw us from the darkness.
Drawing us from darkness was best accomplished through God becoming one of us. Today’s gospel reading from John reads like Jesus job description. Jesus’ words speak in a similar way as Isaiah. They remind that our loving God sent his Son to preach the good news. Jesus reminds us that the Lord has not forgotten or forsaken those who hear the word and believe in him and the One who sent him. Jesus is clear that his ministry is in union with the Father. Jesus is not on his own and neither are we, if we believe.
Our Lenten disciplines can liberate us from sin, and call us to good habits that yoke us to God as Father, Son and Spirit. These good habits teach us that only in Christ will our souls be at peace. What good habit do we need to incorporate in our life for Easter? If we rely only on our own will, we will likely not succeed. Call upon the Lord today to ask for assistance in working toward that good habit!
The spirit of St. Patrick may provide help. Christ before us, Christ behind us, Christ under our feet. Christ within us, Christ over us, let all around us be Christ.
- Michael Montgomery