In the good old days, on this Sunday we looked forward to celebrating. We knew that Gaudete Sunday meant that Lent was coming to an end. Lenten practices were much more substantial then. In our family, we did not eat meat on Wednesdays or Fridays. Mrs. Paul's Fishsticks got a bit old by Good Friday.

It was also a time of year that told us spring was on the way. We might have a snow storm, but we knew that winter was on its last legs. Baseball would be starting soon. It is nice to remember those days, but we don't live then. We live now. Father John Craghan, Th.D., S.S.L. offers us some salient reflections on today's readings.

Each day we are bombarded with facts about local, national, and international events. The media tells of murders, revolutions, natural disasters. All of this fashions our world view. Today's Scripture also confronts us with reality and provides an opportunity to reassess our priorities and retest our standards. Are the decisions we make really Christian decisions?

David's rise to royalty is described in today's first reading. The story of Israel's youthful hero teaches that we should not judge by mere appearances. Samuel, in reviewing the sons of Jesse, must have regarded David as the least likely candidate. Yet the shepherd boy is ultimately chosen, proving again that God's Spirit can also rush on the lowly. David's good looks were not the decisive factor: humans "look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart" (vs. 7).

Ephesians uses images of light and darkness to contrast pagan and Christian ways. Believers are light in the Lord, they are to live as children of light. Such an existence produces goodness, justice, and truth.

The same imagery carries into the gospel passage from John. The blind man progresses from darkness to light: He regards Jesus as a man, then a prophet, and finally confesses that he is the son of God. The Pharisees first appear to accept the blind man's healing but then begin to doubt and finally deny Jesus' heavenly origins. They end up refusing to see -- rendering themselves blind.

Christians look beyond appearances. Only eyes of faith will see the helpless, the indigent, and the derelict as brothers and sisters in Jesus. Those who radiate the light of Christ will see the good in wayward members of the family. Faith's vision enables us to evaluate the policies and programs of both church and state: Are they right because they have the endorsement of authority or do they genuinely benefit all God's people? It all depends on your point of view. (Liguori Publications Preach and Teach 1997).

As disciples of Jesus we must evaluate all aspects of our lives in the light of His teaching. His justice must permeate our voting and other civic responsibilities. His love must fill our words and actions. His wisdom must guide all our decisions.

This time of Lent is a great opportunity to pray, sacrifice, and do penance to mold our hearts more and more to the Sacred Heart of our Lord Jesus. Let us not be afraid to do just that.