Fourth Sunday of Lent: Coming Out Into the Light

For the Sundays of Lent, Bondings 2.0 introduces new scriptural reflections for LGBTQ people and allies. The series is part of our growing library of scriptural reflection exercises catalogued in our “Journeys” series. These resources are suitable for individual reflection, for discussion with a spiritual friend or counselor, or for communal reflection in a parish, school, or other faith community. The series installments will first appear here on Bondings 2.0, and then will be catalogued on the “Journeys” webpage.

We pray that these resources will aid your personal journey with God.

Today’s liturgical readings can be found by clicking here.

If you would like to share some of your reflections with other Bondings 2.0 readers, please feel free to post whatever responses you have in the “Comments” section of this post.

The sandals came off first, marking the parameters of holy ground. The lamp cast its expanding glow, pushing shadows stubbornly up against the wall, and even though the neighborhood was asleep, the Spirit of God was ready to be roused.

Nicodemus approached Jesus under the cover of darkness, sneaking off to engage the man behind the miracles (John 3). As a prominent member of the Sanhedrin, this Pharisee would have been ostracized if he were discovered in the company of Jesus. A spirit of inquiry, however, inflamed the man to seek out the Chosen One and discover the truth behind the Christ.

The conversation that followed ended not in darkness but in light.

JOHN 3:14-21

Jesus said to Nicodemus: “Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so also must the Chosen One be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in the Chosen One may have eternal life.”

“Yes, God so loved the world as to give the Only Begotten One, that whoever believes may not die, but have eternal life. God sent the Only Begotten One into the world not to condemn the world, but that through the Only Begotten, the world might be saved.

Whoever believes in the Only Begotten avoids judgement, but whoever does not believe is judged already for not believing in the name of the Only Begotten of God.

On these grounds is sentence pronounced: that though the light came into the world, people showed they preferred darkness to the light because their deeds were evil. Indeed, those who do wrong, hate the light and avoid it, for fear their actions will be exposed; but whoever lives the truth comes out into the light, so that it may be plainly seen that what they do is done in God.”

For all the readings for the Fourth Sunday of Lent click here.

FOR REFLECTION

In your life experience as an LGBTQ person/ally, what have been the most challenging conversations you have had? How has the Sacrament of Reconciliation, or conversations with a spiritual director or trusted friend, helped you find grace, illumination, affirmation, forgiveness and/or peace? Have such conversations empowered you to more dialogue?
Jesus said to Nicodemus: “Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so also must the Chosen One be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in the Chosen One may have eternal life.” The paradox of being lifted up here, is being “lifted-up” to the cross. How have members of the LGBTQ/ally community been “lifted-up” in this way over the course of history to serve as examples of LGBTQ hope, strength and new life? How has this paradox featured in your own life?
Some people feel that institutional religion often wants to control people and limit one’s relationship with God to the example of the past, the traditions of worship, and gendered Scripture interpretation. How do you encounter the wild, untamable Spirit of the Living God in institutional religion? As an LGBTQ person/ally, have you ever used religious legalism as a substitute for love of God and neighbor? How do you break “tablets of stone” and heed the “tablets written in your heart” (2 Corinthians 3:3)?
Nicodemus appears three times in the Gospel of John. In Chapter 3 verse 2, Nicodemus comes to Christ. In Chapter 7 verses 45-52, Nicodemus defends Christ, and in Chapter 19 verses 39-40, Nicodemus honors Christ by preparing God’s body for burial. During this season of Lent how will you engage Christ? How have leaders in the church or the LGBTQ/ally community inspirited you to come to Christ, defend Christ or honor Christ?
How has the example of Nicodemus invited you to come out of the darkness, or “out of the closet,” in a way, so that the words of scripture may be fulfilled in you: “Whoever lives the truth comes out into the light, so that it may be plainly seen that what they do is done in God.” For what reason/s might you still “prefer the darkness” at this time?

PRAYER

Psalm 27: 1, 3-6, 11, 13

YHWH, you are my light, my salvation – whom shall I fear?
You are the fortress of my life –
of whom should I be afraid?

Though an army mounts a siege against me, my heart will not fear;
though war break out against me, I shall still be confident.

One thing I ask of you, YHWH, one thing I seek:
that I may dwell in your house all the days of my life,
to gaze on your beauty and to meditate in your Temple.

You will keep me safe in your shelter when trouble arises,
you will hide me under the cover of your tent;
and set me high upon a rock.
Even now my head is held high
above my enemies on every side!

I will offer in your tent sacrifices of great joy –
I will sing and make music to you, YHWH!

Teach me your way, YHWH, and lead me on the straight path
I have confidence that I will see the goodness of God
in the land of the living!

VIDEO MEDITATION

Telling a story isn’t just about recording the action. It is also about how the images are captured and enhanced to create a visual narrative. The cinematography in the short film, below, weaves together the Gospel concepts of darkness and light to create such a narrative.

This story, inspired by true events, asks about preferring the darkness or coming out into the light. The characters have to choose.