Week 6
6th. Sunday Gospel Reading
Healing the Man Born Blind
On the 6th Sunday of Lent, the Church reads (John 9:1-41) (the entire chapter 9). In this chapter, Jesus and his disciples came across a man born blind. The disciples began to question who sinned so that this man is born blind. Jesus replied that God allowed blindness with a higher purpose, to show both His presence among men and His power. As St. Augustine said, was he then born without original sin*, or had he committed no sin during his lifetime? Both this man and his parents had sinned, but that sin itself was not the reason why he was born blind. Our Lord gives the reason why “That the works of God should be made known in him.”
Jesus then declared what is only true for God, the light of the world (Jn 9: 5). Jesus said that He is the true source of power and light that sustains life and overcomes the darkness of sin, confusion, and spiritual blindness, and makes a paste with spit and dirt, putting it on the blind man’s eyes and telling him to wash in the pool of Siloam. When he returns from the pool, he was cured and can see.
The miracle of healing the man born blind upset the Pharisees. First, because Jesus healed the blind man on Saturday and violated the Sabbath commandment. Then, because they did not know how to believe that a “sinner” and a “transgressor” of the Sabbath can do such a wonderful work of God! The prejudices of religious leaders blinded them from understanding Jesus’ assertion that He is the One, sent from the Father to bring people freedom and light. However, the cured man did understand that only someone sent from God could perform such a miracle. When asked by the Lord if he believes He is the son of God, he replies “Lord, I believe.” (John 9:38)
What a contrast of light and darkness, belief and disbelief! The cured man accepts Jesus very readily, and the religious leaders who should know who He have yet rejected Him. As St. Paul said in his letter to the Romans, “What shall we say then? That the Gentiles which followed not after righteousness have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of the faith of Jesus; but Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, has not attained to the law of righteousness.” (Romans 9:30-31)
Lord, as we are getting ready to live with You Your crucifixion, death, and resurrection, open our spiritual eyes to see what is that You want to heal in us today.
*The consequences of Adam’s sin.
Week 5
5th. Sunday Gospel Reading
Healing the Paralytic
On the 5th Sunday of Lent, the Church reads the account of the healing of the paralytic man (John 5:1-18). For 38 years, the paralytic had been patiently waiting beside the pool of Bethesda hoping to be healed, and as per St. John Chrysostom, Jesus singled out the man who had waited for thirty-eight years in order to teach us to have perseverance, and as a judgment against those who lose hope or patience in much lesser troubles lasting a far shorter time.
Jesus approaches the man and asks him, “Do you want to be healed?” While this question may be seen as foolish, Jesus asks this question to reveal the paralytic’s heart. Instead of getting angry at Jesus for asking an obvious question or responding in a derogatory manner, the man humbly explains his circumstance saying, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another step down before me.” This short interaction with our Lord displays how the paralytic was not bitter due to his ailment; rather, he was patiently waiting for healing and had faith that the day he would be healed would come.
So, when the Lord tells him to take up his bed and walk, the paralytic does so without questioning. As St. Cyril of Alexandria writes, “the sick man does as is bidden [asked] him, and by obedience and faith he gains to himself the grace he longed for.”
Let us face all our struggles and sufferings like the paralytic—free from bitterness, full of patience, and having steadfast faith in knowing that God has a plan to alleviate us from our sufferings.
Week 4
4th. Sunday Gospel Reading
Samaritan Woman
On the 4th Sunday of Lent, the Church reads John 4:1-42. This passage articulates Jesus’s interaction with the Samaritan Woman when He was resting at Jacob’s well and she came to fill her jar from the well and the Lord asked her for a drink, and that was the start of a conversation that led her to discover His identity as the Messiah and change her life forever.
Upon accepting the fact that the man speaking with her is the Savior she leaves her water jar, much like the disciples left their nets, and becomes an effective evangelist to the town of Sychar. The Samaritans heard the woman’s testimony, understood that Jesus was indeed “the Savior of the world”, but when they heard Him themselves, then they believed in Him.
As Cyril of Alexandria said, “From the greater things does the faith of the Samaritans spring, and not any longer from what they learn from others, but from those whereof they are the wondering ear-witnesses. For they say that they know that He is indeed the Savior of the world, making the confession of their hope in Him the pledge of their faith.”
By accepting Christ as her Savior and drinking from the spring of the “Living Water”, the Samaritan Woman repented, turned away from immorality, and directed others to the path of salvation. Likewise, we ask the Lord to immerse us in His living water, bring us into the life of repentance, walk with us as with share the knowledge of His living water with others, so that all bath in the joy of being with Jesus. Amen
Week 3
3rd. Sunday Gospel Reading
The Prodigal Son
On the 3rd Sunday of Lent the church reads Luke 15:11-32. This passage narrates the “Parable of the Prodigal Son” which is one of is the most familiar and beloved of all Christ’s parables.
This parable pictures God the forgiving father and His actions indicate complete forgiveness and restoration of relationship, the prodigal son resembles any sinner who repents, and the elder brother exemplify the Pharisees and Sadducees self-righteousness, prejudice, and indifference toward repenting sinners.
Reading this passage, the Church is telling us that the Holy Fast is the time when we should be pulling away from worldly desires and possessions, seek repentance, and when we repent there will be celebrations that fill heaven, the joy of God’s presence in our hearts.
As Saint Athanasius said “ Now there is singing and joy in the father’s home. What happened is the result of the Father’s grace and loving kindness. Not only does he bring his son back from death, but also through the Spirit he clearly shows his grace”.
Week 2
2nd. Sunday Gospel Reading
Temptation Sunday
On the 2nd Sunday of Lent, the Church reads Matthew 4:1-11. In this passage, Satan tempted Jesus by the sensual pleasure (“turn this stone into bread”), fame across all kingdoms (“I will give you power and glory”), and power (“throw yourself down”). Jesus rebukes Satan and emerges from the wilderness and His 40 days fasting victorious, ready to gradually reveal his identity as the Messiah of the World.
By reading these passages the Church is reminding us that the Holy Fast is a time of warfare. Through our practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, we do battle with the power of the devil in our lives, and with God’s grace, defeat him decisively.
During this time of lent, let us resists temptation from the Devil by modeling Christ. Let us fight these temptations, saying to the Devil: ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only shall you serve.” (Matthew 4:10 ESV). By doing so, we can be on guard against temptations and remain steadfast in our spiritual development during this holy season.
Week 1
1st. Sunday Gospel Reading
Do Not Lay Up for Yourselves Treasures on Earth
On the 1st Sunday of Lent, the Church reads Matthew 6:19-33. In this passage, Jesus tells us to store our treasure in the eternal heaven and not on earth and seek the kingdom of heaven: “ But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 16:33, ESV)
Seeking the kingdom of heaven is a road beginning with the fast, prayers, repentance, bible readings, and crowned with rejecting materialism and worldly distraction.
Let us remain steadfast in our prayer lives and repentance not only during this lent season but year-round to become one step closer to the kingdom of God.