MONDAY MARCH 11, 2024
MONDAY OF THE FOURTH WEEK OF LENT B
Isaiah 65:17-21
John 4:43-54
STANDING ON THE PROMISES OF GOD
There is need from this fourth week of lent to begin a journey of trusting, hoping and relying on the promises and ordinances of God. Developing faith in God and hanging on his promises is a greater way of worshiping our God and being loyal to him.
The first reading talks about the promises of God that we should anticipate. Our Lenten observances brings us closer to the many good things laid in stock for us. Isaiah the prophet gives us a glimpse of the promises that await us. But basically it has to do with renewal of our lives, that is, newness of our lives and longevity of our lives. Newness of all creation is evident in the fact that our repentance blots all our sins away and create in us a greater chance for a new beginning, a new life based on the model of Christ. A new life in Christ is what we must assume. We cannot assume that after observing this penance we still go back to our former lives. The Lenten fast, prayers and almsgiving is to reform us and introduce us into a new way of living.
And this new life is to be filled with much happiness, joy, union with God and devoid of sorrows. It is a life that brings longevity and successes.
In anticipation of this newness of life, our gospel reading talks about the disposition we must possess to attain such new life and what comes with it. The Centurion teaches us the value of trusting, hoping and relying on the promises of God. It means developing faith, and never doubting the words of God. As he approached Jesus, he begged for the life of his son to be healed of the sickness plaguing him. The command of Jesus was enough for him to accept and believe in. Jesus even warned us against signs and wonders when he says “unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe.”
But the Centurion was a different experience. He trusted, hoped and relied on the words of Jesus when he told him, “Go; your son will live.” And the scriptures says, “the man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went his way.” His faith was rewarded by the healing administered to the son because of his belief in Christ’s words.
We need to continue trusting, hoping and relying on the word of God, the ordinances of Christ and the promises of God. This is yet another step in the journey of faith during this Lenten season that we are called to undertake, reflect and pray for.
God our Father, grant increase to our faith and help us to understand and stand by your promises. May we aspire to enter into the new life you have called. And may the joy of the resurrection of Christ and promises of God be our motivation, our hope and our propelling force for greater commitment to Christ in this new life through Christ our Lord.
Fr Norbert Uchuno
