Third Sunday in Lent

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be always acceptable to thee, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer, and Lord, give us here today, eyes to see and ears to hear so we can learn your word together as a family. We offer you all the praise, honor, and Glory for it in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Good morning, my fellow encouragers! Today, we’ll keep our focus on Lent, a season of repentance, self-examination, and spiritual renewal. Lent offers important premises that help prepare our hearts for the joy of Easter, highlighting the significance of both personal devotion and collective worship. With that in mind, I have another story to share with you, similar to what we discussed last week.

On a cool spring morning in a small Texas town like ours, the story is told of a man named Samuel. Samuel was known in his community as a hardworking farmer who could plow fields before the sun fully rose and tend to cattle with almost mechanical efficiency.

Yet beneath that steadfast exterior, Samuel battled a quiet despair. Sitting alone on his weathered porch every evening, he wrestled with a darkness that clung to his heart—a burden of regrets, missteps, and the feeling that something inside him had grown corrupt and calloused.

The sky turned ominous in an instant, prompting Samuel to seek refuge indoors as an unforeseen storm drew near. The distant rumble of thunder accompanied the initial heavy drops of rain that hit the windows, mirroring the chaos in his heart. With a shaky voice, he whispered a confession to God, “Lord, I no longer recognize the man I’ve become.”

In that moment of vulnerability, Samuel prayed for a cleansing—a renewal that would drive out the sin and despair shadowing his life. That night, as the storm passed and a soft light broke through the clouds, Samuel experienced a closeness with God. Once hardened by years of unacknowledged despondency, the promise of redemption stirred his heart.

This story of Samuel sets the stage for today’s message. Like him, many of us find ourselves confronted by the darkness within—a darkness that we sometimes choose to ignore or, worse, to justify.

Yet Lent calls us to face this hidden darkness, to bring it into the light of Christ, where only then can true healing begin. Today, we examine how confronting our inner self is necessary and transformative, for sin must be driven out if we are to be renewed in the light of our Savior.

As we enter this third Sunday of Lent, we are reminded that this season is not merely about abstinence or observing a few rites—it is about an inward journey, a courageous confrontation of the darkness that dwells within our hearts. The Collect for Lent prays:

“ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who hatest nothing that thou hast made, and dost forgive the sins of all those who are penitent; Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

This prayer encapsulates our Lenten struggle and hope. It reminds us that liberation from sin is not achieved by our own efforts alone but through the light of Christ—a light that penetrates even the deepest shadows within us. Likewise, today’s scripture readings call us to examine where sin festers within.

Thomas Cranmer, the author of the BCP, famously stated: “What the heart loves, the will chooses, and the mind justifies. ” This statement highlights that our desires, what’s in our hearts, drive our actions, and our minds then rationalize those actions.

King David expresses this as he cries out to God in Psalm 51. “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” This appeal holds just as much significance today as it did in ancient times. It’s a desire for transformation—a call to shed the layers of wrongdoing that hide our authentic selves and to be renewed in the likeness of God.

Sin corrupts the soul, distorting the divine light that God created within each of us. It doesn’t always reveal itself through blatant moral failures; instead, it often appears subtly—such as a hardened heart, a complacent spirit, or a mind easily influenced by worldly distractions.

Just as Samuel in our story recognized his inner darkness during the storm, so too are we called to acknowledge our own imperfections. The Apostle John reminds us in 1 John 1:8, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” To deny our sin is to remain in darkness, but to confess it is to open the door to God’s cleansing light.

Our readings today reveal the reality of sin and its consequences. Sin drives a wedge between us and God, isolates us in despair, and diminishes our capacity to love. Yet the call of Lent is clear: we must confront this darkness head-on.

This painful process of confrontation is the only pathway to true renewal. In facing our sin through prayerful confession, we allow the light of Christ to pierce the veil of darkness, driving out the very evil that has held us captive.

Like King David’s penitence in Psalm 51, throughout scripture, we see vivid examples of individuals whose lives were radically transformed when they confronted their sin. Take, for example, the story of the prodigal son. It, too, illustrates the transformative power of repentance.

After living a life marked by reckless indulgence, the son finds himself destitute and alone. In his moment of despair, he returns to his father, not as a proud man but humbled and as a servant. The father responds by embracing him with unconditional love and forgiveness, mirroring the welcoming arms of Christ. The dark road of sin leads nowhere, but when we dare to turn back and seek forgiveness, it becomes a passage to redemption, illuminated by the light of Christ.

Look at our beautiful stained-glass windows. Over time, grime and dust will accumulate, obscuring the vibrant colors of the glass. Only when we consciously choose to wash the window does the light shine brightly, and the full beauty of the images reemerge.

That’s the way it is with us. Our souls require regular cleansing—a washing away of sin—to restore their brilliance. Through the sacraments of Lent—especially the Eucharist and the act of confession—we participate in a ritual cleansing that renews our spirit.

Christ’s light drives out sin by offering us the grace to start anew. As we confront our darkness, we are invited to let go of our past mistakes and embrace a future illuminated by hope. The transformation is not instantaneous; it is a process that unfolds over time as we continually choose to live in the light.

In the words of the prophet Isaiah, “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.” This promise is a cornerstone of our Lenten journey.

The call to confront our inner darkness and drive out sin is not necessarily something we do alone. Though we should confess our sins daily through personal prayer, we also must bear that out communally. The journey toward renewal is best accomplished with encouragement, accountability, and love extended to one another.

The liturgy brings us together in unity, in common worship, praise, and thanksgiving. We confront our sins together in a shared prayer of repentance through the General Confession. Then, with the hope of Christ’s renewal, we gather around the altar to receive His body and blood. Together, we declare that we are not defined by our darkness but by the redeeming light of Christ.

Living out this call, in practical terms, involves being truthful with ourselves and each other. Whether through small gatherings, like the men’s group that meets every few weeks, pastoral counseling, or simple acts of kindness, we are called to establish environments where hurting people can experience healing. When we share our struggles with trusted friends, we not only ease our burdens but also create space for the love of Christ to work more intensely within us.

Every day presents a new opportunity to confront the darkness within, challenge the habits that lead us astray, and renew our commitment to the light.

This may involve changing how we relate to one another, reassessing our priorities, or reconciling past hurts. True transformation is holistic—it touches every facet of our being, from our thoughts and emotions to our actions and relationships.

I invite us to consider our own journey this Lent. Where might we be harboring hidden sins? What darkness in our lives cries out for the cleansing light of Christ? Perhaps, like Samuel, we have experienced moments of quiet despair—a realization that something within us has grown cold and unyielding. Today, the call is clear: bring that darkness into the light.

As we recite the General Confession, imagine that storm within our hearts and acknowledge the areas that need cleansing. Reconsider King David’s words: “Create in me a clean heart, O God.” In this moment of introspection, surrender our shortcomings to the One who offers redemption and renewal.

Embrace the sacrament of confession in community and prayer. Reach out to your brothers and sisters, share your struggles, and allow their encouragement to help guide you out of darkness. Let us be unafraid to confront sin, unashamed to ask for forgiveness, and unyielding in our pursuit of Christ’s renewing light. Let’s fully live out our vision statement, “To be faithful “Encouragers for Christ.”

In the middle of our struggles and imperfections, let us hold fast to the promise of renewal—to face the darkness within and trust in the transformative power of Christ’s light. Let your heart be cleansed, and your spirit renewed this Lent as we walk together on this sacred journey toward resurrection and hope.