Fourth Sunday of Lent – Year A (2026)
Sunday, March 15, 2026
In 2013, Pope Francis delivered his first encyclical, Lumen Fidei, to the Church. His letter said: “Those who believe, see; they see with a light that illumines their entire journey, for it comes from the risen Christ, the morning star which never sets.” On the Fourth Sunday of Lent, the midpoint of this holy season, the Lectionary reminds us that God sees what we cannot, and invites us to live in His light. Living in God’s light means embracing the divine enlightenment brought by Christ, the true Light of the world, as we journey through life as children of light. A young shepherd boy, overlooked by his own family, tending sheep in the hills of Bethlehem, is chosen by God to be the king of Israel. A man blind from birth, begging at the temple gates, his world forever dark, suddenly, light opens his eyes and leads him to salvation.
When God calls Samuel to anoint a King for Israel from among Jesse’s sons in Bethlehem around 1000 BC, he is initially drawn to Eliab, the eldest. Yet God instructs: “Do not judge from his appearance or from his lofty stature, because I have rejected him. God does not see as a mortal, who sees the appearance. The Lord looks into the heart.” — 1 Samuel 16:7. God frequently chooses the lowly, humble, or seemingly unworthy to accomplish great works, confounding human wisdom and manifesting His power through their obedience. Consider Mary, A humble young woman from Nazareth, an obscure Galilean village, whom God selected to bear His Son. Through her acceptance and trust in God’s calling, Mary became central to salvation history, showing how the unassuming fulfill divine plans. How often do we judge by appearances alone, overlooking others’ hidden gifts, talents, and hearts?
In today’s Gospel, Jesus encounters and heals a man who has been blind from birth. The Pharisees questioned the healing on the Sabbath and engaged in multiple conversations and interrogations of the blind man and his parents. Having his eyes opened, and even with the threat of being expelled from the synagogue if he acknowledges Jesus as the Messiah, the man witnesses to Jesus, “He is a prophet.” Asked if he believes that Jesus is the Son of Man, “He said, ‘I do believe, Lord,’ and he worshiped him.” — John 9:38. This narrative unfolds progressively as the blind man’s sight leads to bolder faith. From identifying Jesus as “a man” (v. 11), to “a prophet” (v. 17), to worshiping Him as “Lord” (v. 38). Meanwhile, the Pharisees grow increasingly blind to the truth of Jesus’s ministry and identity. In the New Testament reading, Paul gives a striking parallel: “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.” — Ephesians 5:8. Notice that Paul does not say we were merely in darkness; he says we were darkness. That was our identity. But through baptism, Christ has changed who we are.
Let’s embrace the light of Christ, allowing it to transform our darkness and guide us to see others in His light. May His light illuminate the path to glory not only for ourselves but for the world around us.
Go in Peace to Love and Serve the Lord.