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Fourth Sunday in Lent • Year A
March 15, 2026
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Historical Collect
Almighty God, grant that we, who for our evil deeds worthily deserve to be punished, by the comfort of your grace, may mercifully be relieved; through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (Gregorian Sacramentary, 6th Century)
Thematic Collect
Holy One, you give sight to the blind and life to those who trust in your Son. May the light of your Christ pierce through our blindness and open us to your way of life; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
The Common Thread
There are sighted people with no insight. And there are the blind who see. “Look, you blind, that you may see!” This insightful vision involves being led, “looking to the right,” and going in a new, previously unknown way. This is how “children of the light” walk: they follow Jesus. In following that glorious pool of brilliance, the Light of the World shines upon them.
First Reading • Isaiah 42:14–21
This is the life of the faithful: though blind, being led by God. We do not know the way we are going. We do know, however, that he is the Way (John 14:6). He will not and cannot forsake us as we go, because he is the path itself. As such, he is always there, guiding us, leading us into the light. We may understand from this that, because God is both the Way and the Light, he cannot abandon us. This is how the blind receive sight: They walk in the Light who leads them in the Way.
Psalm • Psalm 142:1–7
When our spirits fail us and we do not know which way to turn, we need not despair altogether. God knows our way. He knows — not only our feelings of hopelessness, but also how to lead us out of troubles and back on the right path. He is our refuge; he is all we need in difficult times.
Second Reading • Ephesians 5:8–14
Not only are we led in the light — we also reflect that light. In a real sense, we become light to others. We “walk as children of light” because it brings glory to God, and also because it pleases him to use us as beacons for others. Where there is darkness, we are to expose, enlighten, and awaken by reflecting the Light.
Gospel • John 9:1–41
Go and wash in the pool called “Sent.” One may as well say, go and wash in the pool of the One sent into the world. Go and wash in Christ. How else will our darkness of spirit be lifted than by bathing in the Light? Go to Jesus and wash, and receive your sight.
Resources
Links to Worship Resources for this Service
