Fourth Sunday of Lent—Ephesians 5:8-14

This week’s second reading brings our attention to the battle that rages in each of our hearts, the battle between light and darkness. It’s important to note that the war has ended and Jesus has won. But just like in any war, battles often continue after the ceasefire. So it is in our hearts.

Through the Sacrament of Baptism, we have been moved from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light. Today, the Holy Spirit is encouraging us to live like it. “Live as children of the light” (Ephesians 5:8). Especially when people around us might be on edge and acting like they otherwise wouldn’t, we need to live as children of the light, “producing every kind of goodness and righteousness and truth” (Ephesians 5:9).

That sounds nice in principle, but it’s a bit harder in practice. On some level, we all continue to do things in secret that are shameful even to mention. If you disagree, consider the fact that everything you do as a Baptized Christian you do as another Christ, including your thoughts while scrolling on social media.

Even though the war has ended, the battle still rages in me. That’s why I need Lent. I need a focused time to allow Jesus to snuff out the battles between light and darkness that continue in me. I need to accept the challenge to sacrifice social gatherings, eating out, our kids’ activities, etc. And in the absence of those things, I need to “try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord” (Ephesians 10).

I don’t know about you, but when I read that line, I hear the Holy Spirit calling me out. I need to try to learn. I must try. It’s not enough just to do the church thing and hope for the best. I have to try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. It reminds me of when Natalie and I first started dating. I made concerted efforts to learn what she liked. I didn’t just leave it up to chance that I would eventually figure it out. And I have to make concerted efforts even nine and a half years into marriage to learn what she likes and wants.

That is what the Holy Spirit is calling us all to. In these crazy times of disrupted schedules and inconveniences—and yes, fear and anxiety—let’s all make a concerted effort to try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. Will there ever be a better time to reprioritize?