IV LENTEN SUNDAY – IV DIMANCHE DE CAREME
LENT 2015
ICCG Europe / ICCS EuroMed Regions
Gospel from Jn 3:14-21
“Jesus said to Nicodemus: «Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life».
For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him will not be condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the verdict, that the light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come toward the light, so that his works might not be exposed. But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God.”
FLOOR TO THE WITNESSES
It is a pleasure to have here with us two direct witnesses who followed Jesus during His life. They will accompany us through all the Lenten journey and each Sunday they will tell us their feelings and thoughts concerning the Sunday Gospel. It is particularly important to see things from their point of view: they were present and they can bear witness to the faith they saw growing in their souls. Let us give them the floor:
PETER
Throughout all my life, I witnessed the fight between darkness and light, in my mind, in my heart. Darkness is so luring, it seems easier to live there, one can hide his worst thoughts and actions and be induced to think that consequences will vanish. In the darkness, in the faint glow of the campfire, it is easier to deny knowing your best friend (Lk 22:54-62), the one who loved you in a way you never experienced before… it is then your choice. You can decide to give in to darkness, to the worst in you: the risk is the suicide of your own soul. This is what happened to Judas (Mt 27:1-10), who did not allow the Light to penetrate his soul and wash away his sin. Is this the real best choice?
I repented, I wept. And I never repented of weeping, of letting Jesus loving me again, even after such a sin.
MARY
“Maybe, in my life, it was easier for me to give in to light. I do not even recall when I let the light of God inhabit my heart. What I am sure of is that I could never even imagine to live a life deprived of His light!
His light is somehow “fascinating”: darkness forces you to do things that, in the end, shaken you deep down even if you do not realize it. You might not be aware of it, but your conscience is always there, it is the window that can let in God’s light. And that light makes all things new, it enables you to discover the beauty of colors, of real life, if fills your heart with joy. It is the only light that can help you fight the deepest darkness and abyss of sorrow: I can tell you, I was about to give in the temptation of darkness under the cross, were it not be for God’s light that I let inhabit my heart forever! (Jn 19:25-27)
FOOD FOR THE MIND
Iveryone who does wicked things hates the light, because light enlightens, because light shows the Evil.
And do not approach the light, staying away from God, so that his works might not be exposed.
This is the fear of Truth!
But Jesus does not want to punish men or women because they are departed from Truth; Jesus wants to call every man and every woman to live again and always according the Truth, in the Truth.
TO LIVE IN THE LIGHT IS TO LIVE IN THE TRUTH
The Five Levels of Truth-Telling: First, you tell the truth to yourself about yourself. Then you tell the truth to yourself about another. At the third level, you tell the truth about yourself to another. Then you tell your truth about another to that other. And finally, you tell the truth to everyone about everything.
Do you really live according to the Truth? In all aspects of your life?
1. Family: Regarding your parents, your brothers and sisters, your grandparents and other elder relatives… Do you respect them? Do you help them? Do you take care of them? Do you love them?…
2. School: Regarding your teachers, your colleagues, staff… Do you respect authority? Do you cooperate and help your colleagues? Do you accomplish your personal duties? Do you behave properly?…
3. Scouting: Do you live according Law & Promise? Do you accomplish your duties towards your patrol, unit and group? Do you cooperate with your colleagues and help them? Do you work for the patrol common good?…
4. Society: Do you see in every man or women a brother or sister? Do you respect and love them as such? Do help other people? Do you contribute to create a better world?…
5. God: Do you act according to God’s commandments? Do you keep a permanent relationship with God through worship?
This week, reflect on your own life, deeds and attitudes. Get rid of whatever moves you away from Truth and experience the true freedom by celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation!
You will find joy, true joy… Laetare!
FOOD FOR HANDS – ACTIVITIES FOR ALL AGES
Now let us practice some activities that entail you to examine your relationship with Truth. You may decide to start with them, and then introduce the ideas presented before.
FOR THE YOUNGEST MEMBERS
My Lenten Promise
Create a card that contains a grid of four lines. In the top you put the name of the family member (mom, dad, Anna, etc.), in the second a prayer, in the third fasting (giving up something) and last one alms giving /charity (taking care of others).
Be sure to encourage your children to come up with their own ideas on how they can fulfill their Lenten promise.
Cut out the promise sheets, fill them out, decorate, and add to your refrigerator door or another visible location for the duration of Lent. At dinner each night, talk about your progress. What has been difficult? What has been easy? What changes have you noticed about yourself as a result of your promises?
FOR YOUNG MEMBERS
Examination of Conscience of the Group
Material needed:
ñ 1 box
ñ pieces of paper
ñ some questions for the group
How to do?
With the whole group or making small groups.
We catch one paper of the box, and we read.
The group have to talk about their impressions, and try to find solutions in case the answer is negative.
List of possible questions:
Have I used foul or ugly language?
Do I say cruel things, or make fun of others to hurt their feelings?
Have I taken things that were not mine from a store or another person?
Do I tell lies to protect myself from punishment?
Are there kids I will not play with or be mean to because they look different?
Do I share the things I have with my family, friends and poor people?
FOR SENIOR MEMBERS
An Examination of Conscience
ñ Fill a glass bowl or a tall drinking glass halfway with water.
ñ Explain that the clear water represents us when we are in the state of grace – in a healthy relationship with Jesus.
ñ Put three small drops of food coloring into the water and stir with a spoon.
ñ Explain that the food coloring represents sin.
ñ Comment on how even a small drop affects the whole bowl/glass of water.
ñ Add approximately two tbsp. of chlorine bleach to the colored water and stir. You will notice the colored water lighten somewhat, but the color will not disappear.
ñ Sprinkle approximately ½ tsp. of baking soda into the colored water, and stir the ingredients with the spoon. Within seconds, the water will turn completely clear.
ñ Explain that the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation removes our sin and restores us to a state of grace.
ñ Tell the young people that, before we approach the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation, we need to make an examination of conscience – a way of taking a closer look at our relationship with Jesus and with our neighbors to identify what we might be doing (or not doing) to hurt those relationships.
ñ Do a prayerful examination of conscience with the young people. Invite them to get into a comfortable posture and to close their eyes. Lead them in some deep breathing to quiet them. Consider playing some instrumental music quietly in the background.
ñ As you lead the examination of conscience, be sure to leave lots of pauses to allow the young people to reflect on each item.