The Gospel on the Fourth Sunday of Lent from St. John says: “…the light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light.” This statement is so true; we encounter it every day. We need to focus, though, not on the darkness, but that we live in the “light” who is Jesus Christ. This is our identity. It is a challenge each day to let this “light” shine forth in the places and situations where we encounter “darkness.” No one can take this “light” from us, but we can hide it “under a bushel basket” as it says elsewhere in the Gospels. This Lenten season allows us to be grateful that we have received this “light” through the sacraments, through prayer and our meditating on the Scriptures. Experiences of “darkness” can influence our ability to let the light of Christ shine forth and can even absorb us in this darkness. We need this season of Lent more than ever.
Next Saturday, March 17, is the Feast of St. Patrick, the Patron of the Archdiocese of New York. We offer a Blessed and Happy Feastday to our Irish Sisters and Brothers! We all know that our city will be spirit filled that day!
We celebrate the Second Scrutiny at the 5 PM Sunday Mass. Our sisters and brothers who have been journeying through the RCIA will soon be one with us at the Eucharistic Table. Please keep them in your prayers.
-Fr. Andrew Reitz, O.F.M.