Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB

The two Books of Chronicles concentrate on the Hebrews’ relationship with God from Adam and Eve to the release of the leaders of the Jewish faith from Babylonian captivity. Chronicles are a purposeful religious history. On this 4th Sunday of Lent, together with St. Paul to the Ephesians and St. John’s Gospel, Chronicles carries the Lenten message that infidelity to God and fidelity both have their own kinds of reward.

Second Chronicles cites the abundant corruption in Judea after David’s passing, infidelity upon infidelity, idol worship, pagan immorality, and even pollution of the Temple itself. In compassion, God sent messengers to correct them, but they were ignored or killed “until the anger of the LORD against his people was so inflamed that there was no remedy.” Jerusalem, the Temple, and the best homes were demolished. Survivors were sent off to Babylon. Indeed, God had been patient, kind, and merciful. But then or now, to test God’s goodness by constant corrupt living can release His wrath.

Darkness! St. Paul reminds the community at Ephesus and us that all have emerged from the darkness of sin by the grace and goodness of God. “He, rich in mercy, filled with love for His creatures, though dead, lost in our transgression, He, merciful God, brought us to life by the saving grace of Christ.”  For Paul, Jesus was and is bathed in the uncreated Light and Love of God. The glow shining from His Cross shattered the darkness of death and sin. — And we, added to our meager Lenten sacrifices, can we not also mount the cross with Jesus and offer our own hardships of life in union with His and in thanksgiving to Him? In Jesus, we are saved!

Akin to Paul’s exclamation is the unforgettable outburst of St. John prompted by Jesus saying 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.” John was at Calvary and saw Jesus lifted up. Thus, he exclaimed, “God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him…might have eternal life.” Do intercede for us, John, that Christ’s love and light may ever keep us from the darkness of sin.