Monday of the
Fourth Week of Lent
(Isaiah 65:17-21; John 4:43-54)
Yesterday rose vestments indicated that the tide of Lent has
turned. Today the readings more properly
give an upbeat tone. The first half of Lent
necessarily stresses repentance and penance.
Sin roots itself deeply in people’s lives. It takes serious effort to eradicate. (Would that all our sinful tendencies be rooted
out in less than four weeks!) Now the
people can sense Easter joy approaching like the scent of lilacs on trees.
In the first reading Third-Isaiah announces a new
creation. People will live long, robust
lives. Joy will characterize their activities. God will accompany the people in their
celebration. In the gospel Jesus brings
joy to a royal official by curing his son.
The passage follows Jesus visit to Samaria which itself comes after his
encounter with Nicodemus. A gradual
revelation of the concept of life may be discerned in this succession. Jesus had spoken to Nicodemus of a rebirth to
new life. Then he promised the Samaritan
woman living water springing up to eternal life. Now Jesus, who is the resurrection and the
life, restores health to a dying boy.
We may see our lives growing similarly throughout this
period of grace. We heard of the promise
of life as Lent began with Jesus overcoming the tempter’s wile. We would likewise shun self-centeredness that
delivers death in the long run. Then we
were given insights about our renewal in grace with the woman at the well. Now, and more so this Sunday with the raising
of Lazarus, we find ourselves glimpsing the dawn of Easter. It is greater than any human existence. It is the absolute fullness of life.
