4th Sunday of Lent – Year A
Ephesians 5:8-14
Live in the Light
Homily Topics
Believers are called to live as children of light, exposing and avoiding the deeds of darkness, and being transformed by Christ into a new creation.
4th Sunday of Lent (A)
From Darkness to Light: A Lenten Journey
Ephesians 5:8-14 connects to the Lenten season because Lent is a time of self-reflection and repentance, where we expose our sins and seek to live as better Christians. The season reminds us that although we were once in darkness, we have been saved through Christ and now are called to live as children of light. Lent calls for us to have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but to rather shine a light on them and seek to eliminate them from our lives. Through Lent, we are reminded of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross and the power of His resurrection, which brings us from darkness to light.
Here are some Lenten practices to help connect with this passage:
- Spending time in prayer and reflection: Lent is a time for introspection and self-examination. This season is an opportunity to examine our lives and ask ourselves whether we are living in the light or in the darkness.
- Confession and repentance: Confession and repentance are essential parts of Lenten practice. This time can be used for acknowledging our sins and asking for forgiveness.
- Fasting: Fasting can help us to deny our fleshly desires and resist the temptation of darkness. This practice can also help us to focus on spiritual things and connect with God.
- Serving others: Lent is also a season for serving others. We can show others the light of Christ by practicing acts of kindness and service.
- Reading Scripture: Reading and meditating on Scripture can help us to understand God’s truth and discern the difference between light and darkness.
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4th Sunday of Lent (A)
Shining the Light of Hope
As we live in the light, God’s goodness, righteousness, and truth will shine through us and give us purpose and meaning in everything we do. We are called to expose the fruitless deeds of darkness and live according to what pleases the Lord, which gives us a sense of hope and direction in our daily lives. Further, it is through the illumination of the light that everything becomes visible and is transformed into light, suggesting that even the smallest actions we take can have a positive impact on the world around us.
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4th Sunday of Lent (A)
Cultivating Righteousness: A Family Advantage
Ephesians 5:8-14 highlights the importance of living as children of light and finding out what pleases the Lord. This means that as a family, it is crucial to prioritize righteousness, truth, and goodness in all actions and decisions. Moreover, the passage encourages families to avoid “the fruitless deeds of darkness” and expose them for what they are. This could involve addressing conflict, seeking forgiveness, or refraining from actions that contradict God’s will.
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4th Sunday of Lent (A)
One Light, Many Colors
Ephesians 5:8-14 promotes diversity and inclusion by stating that all people, regardless of their background or differences, can become “children of light” in the Lord. This means that everyone has the potential to do good and be part of the community of believers.
Think Differently. Thrive Together.
The call to discern what is pleasing to the Lord also implies that diversity of thought and perspective is valued and necessary in creating a thriving community.
Expose Darkness, Ignite Inclusion.
Additionally, the passage encourages us to expose and reject works of darkness, such as discrimination and exclusion, and to bring them to the light so that they may be addressed and corrected. This aligns with the principles of diversity and inclusion, which aim to create a welcoming and respectful environment for all individuals.
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4th Sunday of Lent (A)
Brighten Your Workplace – Be the Light!
Ephesians 5:8-14 speaks about living as children of light, avoiding darkness, and having nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness. It encourages readers to take a stand against the unfruitful actions that are associated with darkness and instead to have nothing to do with them.
Employees can strive to be the light in their work environment, being honest, ethical, and moral in their actions. They can avoid partaking in unethical practices or engaging in harmful office politics that could harm the company or other individuals.
Illuminating Dark Corners
Moreover, this passage encourages individuals to bring to light any unethical or morally wrong activities that are happening in the workplace. By shining light on these issues, it helps to hold individuals accountable and creates a culture that values light over darkness.
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4th Sunday of Lent (A)
Shedding Light on Addiction’s Darkness
Ephesians 5:8-14 speaks to the transformation that takes place when we come to faith in Christ. We are no longer identified by our past, but rather by our new identity in Christ as children of light.
For individuals struggling with secret addictive behaviors, the passage provides hope that transformation is possible and that they too can become children of light. The work of recovery involves exposing the darkness of addiction and bringing it into the light. By doing so, the addictive behaviors lose their power over the individual, and they can begin to live a life of freedom and wholeness.
Dare to Recover
In addition, the passage reminds us that there is no shame in exposing the darkness of addiction, and that in fact, it is necessary for healing to take place. Recovery is a journey that requires vulnerability and a willingness to expose our struggles to others. Through this process, we can find support, encouragement, and accountability, and ultimately experience the transforming power of God’s love and grace.
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4th Sunday of Lent (A)
Unmask the Enemy. Find a Confessor
Spiritually, Ephesians 5:8-14 can be connected to the Christian’s ongoing battle against the forces of darkness, as we are called to resist the devil and his works.
In this sense, having a good confessor who can provide spiritual guidance and discernment is crucial in helping the Christian navigate the spiritual warfare they face every day. A good confessor can help the believer recognize the works of darkness and expose them to the light of Christ, strengthening them to resist and overcome the enemy.
In spiritual direction, the Christian can become more equipped to fight the good fight and walk as children of the light, ever-mindful of the dangers that lurk in the darkness.
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4th Sunday of Lent (A)
Let Your Light Shine with Wise Stewardship
Ephesians 5:8-14 can be connected to principles of stewardship in several ways:
- Stewardship involves recognizing and using our resources wisely. Just as we should walk as children of light and strive to discern what is pleasing to the Lord, we should also use our resources wisely and in a way that pleases God.
- Stewardship involves avoiding wastefulness and destructive behavior. Similarly, we are urged to “take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness” and instead expose them.
- Stewardship involves being accountable and responsible for our actions. We are called to be responsible for the actions we take and to make sure that they are aligned with God’s will.
- Stewardship involves being stewards of time, talent, and treasure. Just as Ephesians calls us to “awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead,” we should recognize that time is a precious resource that we need to use wisely.
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4th Sunday of Lent (A)
Shine a Light on Bullying
Those who are bullied or pressured may feel like they are living in darkness, trapped in harmful situations they don’t know how to escape.
However, this passage reminds us that we are called to live as children of light, to expose the fruitless deeds of darkness, and to find out what pleases the Lord. By shedding light on bullying and peer pressure, we can bring them out of the darkness and help those who are suffering. We can also live as examples of light, shining goodness, righteousness, and truth in order to counteract the negative influences of peer pressure and bullying.
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4th Sunday of Lent (A)
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4th Sunday of Lent (A)
In the 4th century, the Arians challenged the orthodox belief in the divinity of Christ and sought to darken the light of the Christian faith.
Preserving Truth. Rejecting Heresy.
Ephesians 5:8-14 is about the transformation of believers from darkness to light through their faith in Jesus Christ. It calls for a life lived in goodness, righteousness, and truth, and urges believers to expose the works of darkness instead of participating in them. This is relevant to the opposition of the Arians in the 4th century, who challenged the orthodox belief in the divinity of Christ and sought to darken the light of the Christian faith.
The Arians denied the doctrine of the Trinity, which asserts that God is one being in three persons (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). They argued that Christ was not fully divine but rather a created being, inferior to God the Father. This heresy threatened to distort the Christian understanding of salvation and the nature of God, undermining the very foundations of the faith.
Cardinal JOHN HENRY NEWMAN noted that while many bishops became Arian, the laity retained the orthodox faith. The Christian emperors were often Arian, since the lower status of Christ implied the lower status of bishops in relation to the emperor, who traced his authority from the eternal Creator Father.
In response, the early church leaders, including Athanasius and the Council of Nicaea, vigorously opposed the Arians and defended the orthodox belief in the divinity of Christ. They exposed the error of the Arian doctrine and called for a return to the truth of the gospel. This was a shining example of what it means to be “children of light” who “expose the deeds of darkness” and uphold the truth of God’s Word.
Therefore, Ephesians 5:8-14 can be seen as encouragement for the church to persevere in the face of opposition and to remain faithful to the truth of the gospel, even when it is under attack from those who seek to distort or deny it.
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Arianism
