Coming out of the darkness

03-15-2026Pastor's LetterFather Wilson

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Today, the Fourth Sunday of Lent — also called rose or “laetare” (rejoice) Sunday— the entire liturgy invites us to experience a deep joy, a great exultation, because Easter is getting nearer. Jesus was the cause of great joy for the man who had been blind from birth, and who received his eyesight from Him along with the gift of spiritual light.

The blind man believed and he received Christ's light. On the other hand, the Pharisees, so engulfed in their own wisdom and beliefs, remained blinded because of the hardness of their hearts and their sins. In fact, “the Jews did not believe that he had been blind and gained his sight.” (Jn 9:18)

Yes, we need Christ's light to see reality in our lives! Without the light of faith, we would be almost blind. We have been bestowed with Christ's light, and we need our life to go on being illuminated by His light. Even more so, His light must shine through our actions so that it may appeal to those who are still unaware of Christ’s light and love. All this suggests our need for conversion and personal growth in charity, especially in this time of Lent. Saint Leo the Great exhorts us: “Although, it is always good to exercise ourselves in the virtue of charity, these days of Lent invite us to, in a more urgent manner.”

One thing can move us away from the light and joy Jesus Christ gives us, and this is sin: trying to live far from the Lord's light. Unfortunately, many — at times, even ourselves — go deeply down this dark and gloomy road until we lose light and peace. Out of his own experience, Saint Augustine claimed that there is nothing unhappier than the happiness of those who sin. “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” (I John 1:8)

Easter is getting nearer and the Lord wants to communicate to us all the joy of His Resurrection. May we prepare ourselves to receive and celebrate it. “Go wash...” (Jn 9:7), Jesus tells us. We are called to wash in the purifying waters of the Sacrament of Penance! If we do that, we shall again find His light and His joy and accomplish our best preparation for the Easter celebrations.

All the best...in Christ,

Father Wilson