Weekday in the 4th Week of Lent

• First Reading – Micah 7:7-9: I trust the Lord will lift me from darkness, guide me, and make things right, even though I have sinned.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 27: I will not be afraid, for the Lord protects me. I seek his face, trust in his care, and wait with courage to see his goodness.
• Gospel – John 9:1-41: Jesus gave sight to a man born blind, revealing God’s work. The man believed and stood firm, even when rejected. In the end, Jesus welcomed him and revealed his true identity.

Lectionary Reference: 243

One thing I do know is that I was blind and now I see.

John 9:25

The optional readings for a weekday in the 4th Week of Lent focus on God’s mercy, healing, and justice. They remind us that God walks with us even when we fall or feel alone.

• Trust in God’s mercy: Even when we sin, God does not leave us in the dark. He waits for us to turn back and promises to lift us up.
• Walking through darkness: Sometimes we suffer because of our sins or the sins of others. In the middle of that pain, we are called to wait and trust that light will return.
• Faith that stands firm: The man born blind stayed strong even when others pushed him away. His courage came from trusting the one who healed him.
• God sees the heart: People judged the blind man, but Jesus saw his faith. God looks past our outside and sees what is true inside.
• Healing and change: Jesus brings real healing, even when others do not understand it. When he acts, things shift—inside us and around us.
• Courage in rejection: The blind man was cast out by others, but Jesus welcomed him. We are not alone when others treat us badly for choosing what is right.
• Hope in the waiting: God’s people wait with courage. We know his goodness will come, even if we do not see it right away.

These readings invite us to stay close to Jesus. Even in weakness or struggle, he brings hope, healing, and light.

The optional readings for a weekday in the 4th Week of Lent offer rich examples of how God works in quiet but life-changing ways. These passages speak to real struggles—feeling rejected, longing for healing, and waiting in darkness. Each story reminds us that God is near, even when others misunderstand us or when change feels hard. These reflections explore how we can grow in courage, trust, and hope as we follow Jesus.

Courage When Others Turn Away

The optional readings for a weekday in the 4th Week of Lent remind us that standing up for our faith can lead to rejection. In the Gospel, the man born blind was healed by Jesus. But instead of being celebrated, he was questioned, doubted, and pushed out by his community. He did not back down. He told the truth and held on to what he had experienced.

Sometimes doing what is right means losing approval from others. That is not easy. Friends, family, or even people in the Church may not understand our choices. But the story of the blind man shows us that Jesus sees our courage and stays close to us.

Jesus did not ignore the man after he was cast out. He looked for him and welcomed him. This moment shows us that Jesus will not leave us when others do. His care does not depend on how others treat us.

These optional readings for a weekday in the 4th Week of Lent are good reminders that rejection does not mean failure. Being pushed aside can lead to something deeper—a stronger bond with Christ. We should keep walking with him, even when the path is lonely.

We can pray for the strength to keep choosing what is right, even when it costs us something. Jesus sees our steps. He walks with us, even when others do not.

Healing That Changes Us

In the Gospel from the optional readings for a weekday in the 4th Week of Lent, Jesus brings sight to a man born blind. This is more than a physical change. It affects the man’s whole life. He gains vision, faith, and a new way of living. His healing draws him closer to Jesus, but it also causes tension with others.

Real healing from God touches more than just one part of us. It can shift how we see everything. That kind of change can feel scary. It may confuse others who do not understand what God is doing in us. They may question our choices or distance themselves.

But the readings show that healing and change often go together. Jesus didn’t just fix the man’s eyes. He gave him courage and helped him grow in faith. The man became a witness. He spoke the truth, even when others refused to listen.

Sometimes healing brings separation too. Old habits or old relationships may no longer fit. This is not a punishment. It is part of what happens when we move closer to the light.

These optional readings for a weekday in the 4th Week of Lent help us welcome the changes God is making in us. They invite us to be open to growth, even when it feels uncomfortable. Jesus walks with us every step.

Hope in the Dark

One theme found in the optional readings for a weekday in the 4th Week of Lent is hope in the middle of trouble. Micah speaks from a place of pain. He admits his sin. He sees the darkness. But he still chooses to wait on God. He knows that God will lift him up again.

This is a message for anyone who feels stuck or weighed down. We all go through seasons when things are hard or confusing. We may feel like nothing is changing. But hope means we believe God is still working, even when we can’t see it yet.

The man born blind also knew what it meant to live in darkness. He had never seen light. But when Jesus came near, everything changed. That moment came after many years. His healing was not quick. But it was real and lasting.

Both readings show that waiting on God is not a waste. There is strength in holding on to hope, even when it is hard. God sees what we cannot. His care continues, even when we feel forgotten.

The optional readings for a weekday in the 4th Week of Lent remind us to stay faithful in the dark. Light is coming. God is near. And he will not leave us where we are.

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The optional readings for a weekday in the 4th Week of Lent help us stay steady in the journey of Lent. They show that light will come, even after darkness. God sees us, walks with us, and gently leads us forward. Let us keep going, with eyes open and hearts ready for what Jesus wants to do.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, help me stay close to you, even when things feel hard. Give me courage when I feel alone, strength when I wait, and peace when I change. Thank you for walking with me and showing me the way. Amen.

Reflection Questions

• When have you felt rejected for doing what was right?
• How has God brought healing or change into your life?
• What does it mean to hope in the middle of darkness?
• How can you trust God more during this season of Lent?

Choosing the Light

In her reflection on the optional readings for a weekday in the 4th Week of Lent, Sr. Joan Bukrey shares how the story of the man born blind shows two opposite paths. One is the blind man’s journey toward light and faith. The other is the path of the authorities, who refuse to see what is true.

Sr. Joan connects this to our own lives. When we act from pride, anger, or stubbornness, we step into darkness. Lent gives us a chance to choose the light instead. Like the blind man, we are called to let go of our old ways and follow Jesus into new life.

And Now I See

The healing of the man born blind is about much more than eyesight. It shows how Jesus brings light and helps us see with faith. Bishop Barron explains how this story is a picture of our own journey from spiritual darkness to new life.

In his reflection on the optional readings for a weekday in the 4th Week of Lent, Bishop Barron connects the healing with baptism. He shows how Jesus, as both God and man, brings healing through real and physical ways. The story invites us to see ourselves as changed by Jesus and sent into the world to share his light.

What does it mean that the man was born blind?

It means he never had sight before. His healing was a clear sign that God was at work.

Why did people question the healing?

They did not believe it was possible. Some thought Jesus should not heal on the Sabbath.

Why was the blind man cast out?

He stood by Jesus and told the truth. Others did not like that he believed in Jesus.

How did Jesus respond when the man was rejected?

Jesus went to find him. He welcomed him and made himself known.

What does Micah mean by waiting on God?

Micah trusts that God will help him in time. He is patient even when things feel dark.

What is the message of the psalm?

The psalm reminds us that God is our help. We do not need to be afraid.

What does it mean to walk in darkness?

It means living in confusion, pain, or sin. But God can bring us back to the light.

How can we apply these readings to our lives?

We can trust God even when others do not understand. We can stay faithful and speak the truth.

What should we do when people reject us for our faith?

We should stay close to Jesus. He sees us and will not leave us.

What if we feel stuck or lost?

We can wait on God like Micah. We can pray and believe that healing will come.

Why do these readings matter during Lent?

They help us focus on trusting God. They remind us that he brings light, even when the path is hard.

How can healing change our lives?

Healing can open our hearts and change how we live. It may also change how others treat us.

Why did the leaders not accept what happened?

They were focused on rules and missed the bigger picture. They did not want to believe in Jesus.