4th Sunday of Lent
March 26, 2017 – Year A
Readings: 1 Sm 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13a / Psalm 23 / Eph 5:8-14 / Jn 9:1-41
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

Last December 25th, 2016 – just three months ago – a man in Roanoke was celebrating his 95th birthday. He wished to celebrate it by taking a bouquet of flowers to the grave of his wife at a Roanoke cemetery. Since someone had told him that plastic flowers are much better because they are not only cheaper, but last much longer than real ones, that is what he bought. But on his way to the cemetery, a speeding vehicle smashed the right side of his car. Though he had only minor injuries, his car was totally damaged. When the cops arrived at the scene of the accident, he was still picking up what was left of those flowers that had been scattered all over the road. Apparently, at that time those flowers seemed more important to him than the car. But instead of going to the cemetery to visit the grave of his wife, he ended up in the hospital that Christmas morning. Fortunately, he was released after a couple of hours.

Later in the afternoon of that same day, he called his son who lived nearby, and told him that he would still like to go to the cemetery before the day ended to take to his wife’s grave the few flowers that he had recovered after the accident. But when left his house, he saw two Roanoke Police patrol cars had stopped in front of his driveway. His apprehension at the sight was instantly turned into joy when the two cops emerged from their vehicles, each carrying a big bouquet of fresh real flowers to replace those that were damaged in the accident. Those two cops were the ones who had assisted him at the accident scene that morning and were aware of his story. They volunteered to give this man a ride to the cemetery, assisted him in putting those beautiful bouquets of flowers on his wife’s grave, and then these two of Roanoke’s Finest gave him a ride back home. This made him a very happy man when he turned 95 years old that very Christmas day. And he lived happily ever after.

Deacon Barry Welch of our sister Parish, Resurrection Church in Moneta, told me this story. He met this man – whose name is Isadore – this past Wednesday during the Mass and soup supper at St. Andrew’s in Roanoke. Deacon Barry told me, “Father Sal, you really need to meet this man in person the next time you are in Roanoke.” I promised him that I surely will.

In today’s second reading, which is taken from the Letter of St. Paul to the Ephesians, the Apostle Paul said, “Brothers and sisters, live as children of light, for light produces every kind of goodness.” Those two Roanoke police officers are surely children of light. It was Christmas Day. They also had families to attend to and more important things to do, but they took their precious time to show their love and kindness to a person in need.

My dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, as we continue to celebrate this Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, let us ask Our Lord to give us the grace that we may always be true to our calling as children of light. We don’t need to do great things. All we have to do is be loving.