4th Sunday of Lent Year A Homily (2nd Scrutiny)

Light is a theme of the Easter season. At the Easter Vigil, Mass begins in darkness and the light of a flame is brought into the Church to dispel this darkness from our midst. This all serves as a reminder of what Easter does for us, for through Easter Jesus comes to triumph over the tomb and thus the death of sin has been triumphed over as we elevate our sight towards the joys of Everlasting Life.

Through sin we are left blind as this man was found blind within our Gospel. As we move towards Easter may we desire to see the light of Christ all the more. If we desire to see the light of Christ we must come to dispel the darkness of sin from our life. Today we celebrate the second scrutiny where our catechumens, the unbaptized, are reminded of what will take place for them at the Easter Vigil. For at the Easter Vigil their eyes will be opened because they have entered into the waters of baptism which have dispelled this reality of sin from their midst.

To be baptized is a big deal for through baptism we are not brought into some club, but we are incorporated into the mystical Body of Christ. To call ourself a Christian is a big deal for with it comes a commitment which is made to Christ to love Him above all things. May we pray for these catechumens as they now prepare to have their eyes opened within the waters of baptism and may we continue to purge ourself of sin; sin which leaves us blind to Christ. Very soon we will arrive at our celebration of Easter and here we will finally be able to “rejoice” with Christ who dispels the darkness of sin and death from our midst.