300 Days for 300 Years: A Commemorative Devotional of the Presbytery of Philadelphia

William G. Young, Jr. Ruling Elder, First Presbyterian Church in Germantown, Moderator of the Presbytery of Philadelphia (1997)

  • First Reading: 1 Samuel 16:1-13
  • Psalm 23
  • Second Reading: Ephesians 5:8-14
  • Gospel John 9:1-41

Christ Will Shine on You

On the fourth Sunday in Lent we read in Ephesians: “Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but expose them.” The season of Lent is a time of prayer, fasting and self-examination in preparation for the celebration of the resurrection of our Lord at Easter. During the past year we have all experienced darkness: the most hateful national election ever, terrorist attacks here and abroad, gun violence in our streets. We also have our own personal experiences of walking in darkness. Yet Ephesians also tells us to “Live as children of the light,” causing us constantly to ask difficult questions about our witness to the light in the world, the church and the home as beloved children of Christ.

As we expose the darkness of our old life in Lent, the good news is the promise that soon we will step back into the light of God’s love on Easter morning: a season in which we have been freed from the old life of death and darkness through the goodness and grace of God. May the light of God’s love shine on you, even in this Lenten season!

Dear Lord, as we trudge through the final days of winter toward the light and hope of springtime, may we continue to be fascinated by the light of Christ. Amen