Monday of the Fourth Week of Lent
Here comes the sun. It's been a long cold lonely winter. Here comes the sun. It seems like years since its been here. Here comes the sun. I feel that ice is slowly melting. Here comes the sun. It seems like years since it's been clear. Here comes the sun. Here comes the sun. Here comes the sun. It's all right.-The Beatles.
George Harrison's lyrics echo today's sun burst of a message from Trito-Isaiah: “There shall be joy and happiness...I will exalt in my people. No more weeping or the sound of crying...I create joy and a people to be a delight...” (Isaiah 65:17-21)
These classic Beatles lyrics shine, too, as our world awakens to the glory of spring.
As March hopefully “goes out like a lamb” we are “rounding third and heading towards home.” Here comes the sun--- “no more crying or weeping.” “I will create what is new...I will rejoice in Jerusalem!” Dreariness and darkness dominate no more as the dawn rises with renewal and hope. It's been a long cold lonely winter. Our world awakens from frozen sleep. The expiration date for frost and chill has arrived.
Today's hopeful message is right on time. Winter finally wanes, foreshadowing the indescribable coming glory of the Paschal Mystery. Easter is just weeks away.
Jesus performs his second sign in John's Book of Signs (there are seven total) in today's Gospel. The promised fullness of the messianic age is near. After the first sign at Cana in Galilee, where Jesus kept the party going, he now shatters insurmountable barriers by healing the son of a Roman official there. Even the heathen can know God's mercy!
Yes, here comes the sun!
Here comes the sun when we, like Christ, refuse the limits of ethnicity and religion.
Here comes the sun when, like the Roman official, the words of Christ are enough for us.
Here comes the sun when the chill of despair gives way to the healing rays of Christ.
Here comes the sun when we tame our lion and embrace our lamb.
Here comes the sun when loneliness gives way to hope for the isolated.
Here comes the sun when no strain of COVID can strain impending Easter joy.
Here comes the sun when Ukraine perseveres and resists in hope.
Here comes the sun made garish before the light of Christ.
Here comes the sun! It's all right.
Timothy J. Cronin