The 4th Sunday of Lent | Sunday 19 March 2023

Today is Sunday the 19th of March, beginning the 4th week of Lent.

The Community of Taizé sing Christe Lux Mundi: ‘O Christ, light of the world, whoever follows you will have the light of life.’

Christe lux mundi, qui sequitur te
Habebit lumen vitae, lumen vitae

Today’s reading is from St Paul’s letter to the Ephesians.

Eph 5:8-14

For once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light. Live as children of light— for the fruit of the light is found in all that is good and right and true. Try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what such people do secretly; but everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for everything that becomes visible is light. Therefore, it says,
‘Sleeper, awake!
Rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.’

Consider the contrast of darkness and light today. You might want to look around you, catch details. Or think of daylight and night. Or a picture that portrays the contrast. For an artist, the contrast between light and dark is vital for creating a painting that’s effective and true.


Do you have a sense of being in warm light, being near to God, or not so near, in the shadows, as it were? That movement from one to the other can be subtle, can’t it?


Consider darkness for a moment… how light affects it. It only requires a little light to begin to change a darkened image. You could ask God simply to draw you towards light.


As you hear the passage again, focus on the contrasts.


In these closing moments, bring to the Lord, the source of all light, your highs and lows, your light and darkness, your sleepiness, and your alertness. In short, your humanity. Have an open conversation with our God of compassion and love. You might ask to see God’s light more clearly.


You have given all to me,
To you, Lord, I return it.
Everything is Yours, do with it what you will.
Give me only Your love and Your grace,
That is enough for me.
Amen.