YEAR B: HOMILY FOR THE 4TH SUNDAY OF LENT

YEAR B: HOMILY FOR THE 4TH SUNDAY OF LENT

THEME: “THE SON OF MAN MUST BE LIFTED UP”

BY: Fr. Cajetan Anyanwu

HOMILY: The 4th Sunday of Lent is here already. During our catechism class as kids we had question and answer sessions. The first was: Who made you? God made me, was the answer. Then another question: Why did God make you? We answered: God made me to know him, love him, worship him in this life and to be with him in the everlasting happiness of heaven. We were rattling these questions and answers as in sweet songs. We did not think deeply about their significance and meaning. We gave a round of applause for ourselves for frequently repeating these questions and answers.

Now, the time has come and the axe is laid under the three. We have grown up and some of us have noticed the reality of the answers we applauded for. The good shall inherit heaven while the bad shall perish in hell fire. In spite of the reality of hell fire, many are yet to repent! Crimes and all sorts evil are gaining massive ground. The priests, prophets and preachers of the word of God are ridiculed (Cf. 2 Ch. 36:14-16ff). But God is a merciful Father who is willing to save us by his grace. If you O Lord should mark our guilt, Lord, who will survive? May God help us to repent!

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Hence, God still loves us and shows us his mercy and compassion. For, “When we were dead through our sins, he brought us to life with Christ” (Eph. 2:4-10). In spite of our iniquities, the grace of God surrounds us and we are saved by the blood of the Lamb. Through his death on the cross and his resurrection we have been brought back to the Father as his beloved children.

By his cross we are saved and reconciled with God because, “The Son of Man must be lifted up as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him” ( Jn 3:14-21). The lifting up of Jesus on the cross is an eloquent manifestation of God’s love for us. “For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son…” By seeing Jesus hanging on the cross we are forgiven unconditionally. Hence, light has come into the darkened world through Christ. Yet, many prefer darkness to the savior of the world who is the Way, the Truth and the Life. This is the time to open our eyes and look onto Jesus. This is the time to do good and avoid evil. This is the moment when our Lenten observances shall help us to draw closer to Jesus and be saved. Happy Sunday.

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