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Chi Rho Letters - Fourth Sunday of Lent

Mar 14, 2026 3:07 pm

March 14, 2026 - Volume II, Issue 3

"Better to illuminate than merely to shine, to deliver to others contemplated truths than merely to contemplate"

St. Thomas Aquinas

Editor’s Note

It's becoming very apparent that the world needs light - the War in Iran hits two weeks today, there was another bishop ousted from his Diocese under allegations of embezzlement, and "safeguards" around assisted suicide in Oregon are being bypassed. This points to the darkness that we often feel when we really dive into the ever-available news cycle. But, even at the same time that all of this is happening, there's glimmers of hope and light available if we look hard enough.

A cause close to my own heart is the abolition of the death penalty, so when reports that Alabama Governor Kay Ivey stayed the execution of 75-year-old Charles "Sonny" Burton, I saw hope, especially coming from a state who killed 5 last year. Gov. Ivey speaking to NBC on Tuesday said, “I cannot proceed in good conscience with the execution of Mr. Burton under such disparate circumstances. I believe it would be unjust for one participant in this crime to be executed while the participant who pulled the trigger was not.” As we discussed last week, God can work with the sincerity of our hearts to know Him, regardless of our maturity with the faith, if we give Him a chance, and even without know it. Gov. Ivey, in my opinion, received the tug to reconsider when it was time to sign the death warrant, and she was open enough to listen.

Another glimmer of light can be found in my own backyard here in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. The St. Carlo Acutis Shrine & Center for Eucharistic Encounter in Malvern, Pennsylvania, launched a new mobile app inspired by St. Carlo. It’s called “Saint Carlo Acutis: Eucharistic Miracles of the World.” It serves as a reminder of the glimmers of light Christ has given His church over time through Eucharistic miracles. I've been playing around with it this week and would highly recommend looking it up on Google Play or the App Store.

A final glimmer of hope I want to highlight is a story out of Michigan, where a teen has started an online newspaper call The Catholic Michigander, where he tackles some of the difficult questions teens often ask as they mature in their faith. Luis Nava, founder and writer for the paper, is going to be a name to look for in a few years. Only a freshman, he's going to be graduating with real-world experience and could be the next Pillar Correspondent, EWTN Contributor, or a Matt Fradd type figure. Love seeing this coming out of my home Archdiocese of Detroit!

Christ proclaims that He is the light of the world in this week's Gospel, and it's important for us to keep that in mind and to keep our eyes open to finding the light that he is showing in our world through the good things that folks are doing around us. We will see this light when our priests (the cool ones anyway) swap the Lenten purple for a Rose (or, really, pink) chasable.

I will also say that you can be the light for someone in need by donating to Catholic Relief Services, link in our Apostolate Spotlight. CRS has been a reliable source of support for many in war-torn and third-world countries suffering in the aftermath of an emergency, even after others have left. One example of this is when in 2010, the island country of Haiti was struck by an earthquake causing major devastation. After the world moved on to other news stories, CRS continued to serve announcing the following year, a $200 million, five-year relief and reconstruction program that covers shelter, health, livelihoods, and child protection among its program areas. Consider donating.

Because of its beauty and depth, our Contemporary Corner again has St. Thomas Aquinas' Commentary on the Gospel of John, this week focusing on his chapter 9 insights. Some of the key points I'm pondering are:

1. The symbolism of the healing method used for the blind man

Christ uses mud made from saliva and earth, placing it on the blind man’s eyes.

Aquinas interprets the symbolism:

1) Earth signifies human nature.

2) Saliva from Christ represents divine power proceeding from the Word.

3)The mixture symbolizes the Incarnation, where divine power works through human nature.

The washing in the Pool of Siloam signifies:

1) Baptism and the cleansing of sin.

2) “Siloam” meaning “sent,” pointing to Christ as the one sent by the Father

2. The Pharisees’ Spiritual Blindness

The religious authorities refuse to believe despite the clear miracle.

Aquinas explains that their blindness stems from:

1) Pride

2) Attachment to their own authority

3) Rigid interpretation of the Sabbath law

Their investigation focuses on discrediting the miracle rather than seeking truth.

These are just a few of the insights found in Aquinas' Commentary. Highly recommend reading through for more!

Please know of my prayers for you this week.

Sunday Readings

Fourth Sunday of Lent - Link

Reading 1: 1 Samuel 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13a

Psalm: Psalm 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6

Reading 2: Ephesians 5:8-14

Gospel: John 9:1-41 (or John 9:1, 6-9, 13-17, 34-38)

Collect:

O God, who through your Word

reconcile the human race to yourself in a wonderful way,

grant, we pray,

that with prompt devotion and eager faith

the Christian people may hasten

toward the solemn celebrations to come.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

God, for ever and ever.

Headlines

A few headlines that caught my eye this week:

Contemplative Corner

St. Thomas Aquinas' Commentary on the Gospel of St. John

St. Thomas’ commentary on the Gospel of St. John is unique among his many writings on Sacred Scripture. It is the work of a master theologian, delivered at the University of Paris, then the intellectual center in Christendom, when Thomas was at the height of his fame and apostolic zeal for souls. Here's a link to Chapter 4's commentary brought to us by St. Isidore's Forum.

Read: Aquinas' Commentary on John 9

Apostolate Spotlight

Catholic Relief Services - Focus on Middle East Conflict - Link

As conflict and displacement continue to affect communities across the region, Catholic Relief Services is working with trusted local partners to provide lifesaving assistance and support families forced from their homes. With your gift, families across the Middle East will continue to receive vital relief and care as they seek refuge and relief. Please give now to support families across the Middle East.

The Liturgical Week Ahead

Coloring indicates Liturgical Color, links provided to USCCB site.

March 16, 2026 | Monday | Monday of the Fourth Week of Lent

Isaiah 65:17-21 | John 4:43-54

March 17, 2026 | Tuesday | Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Lent (Optional Memorial: Saint Patrick, Bishop)

Ezekiel 47:1-9, 12 | John 5:1-16

March 18, 2026 | Wednesday | Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Lent (Optional Memorial: Saint Cyril of Jerusalem, Bishop and Doctor of the Church)

Isaiah 49:8-15 | John 5:17-30

March 19, 2026 | Thursday | Solemnity of Saint Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary

2 Samuel 7:4-5a, 12-14a, 16 | Romans 4:13, 16-18, 22 | Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24a (or Luke 2:41-51a)

March 20, 2026 | Friday | Friday of the Fourth Week of Lent

Wisdom 2:1a, 12-22 | John 7:1-2, 10, 25-30

March 21, 2026 | Saturday | Saturday of the Fourth Week of Lent

Jeremiah 11:18-20 | John 7:40-53

Community Prayer Intentions

For Strength and Comfort

Families of Servicemembers
Those affected by the Iranian and Ukrainian wars
Myers Family
Demers Family
Pope Leo XIV

Eternal Rest

Noel Demers
Bernice Myers
Emma Niese
Those killed in the wars in Iran and Ukraine
Pope Benedict XVI
Pope Francis

Saints in Progress, pray for us!

Thank you!

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Please know of my prayers for you, and please continue to pray for me and my family. I’ll see you next time, but in the meantime, God Bless!

–☧ Rob

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