15 March - Fourth Sunday of Lent – Year A

Introduction

The Fourth Sunday of Lent occupies a distinctive place in the church calendar. Known traditionally as Laetare Sunday, this Sunday marks a pause — a breath — within the discipline and restraint of the Lenten season. The name comes from the Latin laetare, "rejoice," echoing the spirit of Gaudete Sunday in Advent. Just as Advent briefly lifts its solemn, penitential tone with joy at Christ's nearness, Laetare Sunday offers a glimpse of Easter light before the shadows of Holy Week gather. It is a day when hope is allowed to surface more clearly, when the journey's purpose is once again brought into view.

This sense of lightening and anticipation runs through the lectionary readings. Across these texts, God's life-giving presence is revealed not through outward strength, certainty, or control, but through unexpected seeing: David chosen not for appearance but for the heart; the Shepherd who accompanies through dark valleys; a community urged to live as light-bearers; and a man born blind whose growing clarity stands in contrast to those convinced they already see. These are texts about illumination and transformation — fitting companions for a Sunday that dares to rejoice while still walking the Lenten road.

This day is also Mothering Sunday, which historically was not about individual motherhood but about returning to one's ‘Mother Kirk', the place of their baptism, nurture, and belonging. In earlier centuries, servants would have been given the opportunity to travel back to their Mother Kirk, reconnecting with roots of faith and community. This ecclesial understanding offers a helpful counterpoint to the commercialised and sometimes emotionally fraught versions of the day that dominate contemporary culture. Rather than idealising or simplifying experiences of family and motherhood, worship could take the opportunity to reclaim Mothering Sunday as an invitation to reflect on the Church as a nurturing body — imperfect, human, yet called to embody God's compassion, hospitality, and care.

In preparing this material, I spent time holding together a number of overlapping themes: light and nurture, truth and tenderness, joy and honesty. I began by reading the texts without commentary, allowing their emotional weight and movement to settle before considering how they speak into present realities — including questions of belonging, visibility, and how communities respond when familiar patterns are disrupted. The aim throughout was to honour Laetare Sunday not as an interruption of Lent, but rather as a gracious reminder of why the journey matters: Jerusalem, Golgotha and the Cross are coming into view.

This material is offered with flexibility in mind. Worship leaders may wish to lean into the gentler, hopeful tone of the day, while still acknowledging the complexity of lived experience — trusting that joy, like light, is often most truthful when it emerges within shadow.

1 Samuel 16:1-13

This passage marks a decisive turning point in Israel's story. Although Saul is still king, God instructs Samuel to anoint another. We begin with a gentle rebuke from the Lord, toward Samuel, "How long will you grieve for Saul?" — a reminder that discernment can often be borne out of struggle and not just excitement. God presses Samuel beyond mourning into risky obedience.

One striking similarity between this event and the reality of today is that deeply human systems rely on outward markers of suitability. Jesse presents his sons in order of appearance and presumed strength, and Samuel — seasoned prophet though he is — initially agrees with this logic. The divine correction is sharp and enduring: "The Lord does not see as mortals see." This is not merely a lesson in humility but a theological wake up call. God's seeing engages the heart — not inner piety alone, but the whole orientation of a person's life toward God.

The delay in David coming onto the scene has always stuck with me. He is not even considered initially, suggesting how easily communities overlook those assumed to be insignificant. When David shows up, he comes across as real and complicated, not perfect. God's choice does not negate David's complexity; instead it affirms God's freedom.

Another striking feature of this passage was the tension between divine insight and human fear. Samuel worries about political consequences and Jesse worries about protocol, while God gets on with attending to possibility. The anointing itself is quiet — there is no public announcement, no immediate throne. Transformation often begins unseen – something that resonates strongly with Lent: change gestates long before it is recognised.

Questions to ponder:

* Who do we assume is "obvious" leadership material?
* What voices are habitually unheard in our communities?
* How do we trust God's perspective when it unsettles our instincts?

This reading pairs powerfully with John 9, challenging us all to recognise how often we confuse familiarity with faithfulness.

Psalm 23

At the risk of stating the obvious, Psalm 23 is one the most beloved of all psalms — it is so familiar that its radical trust can be dulled by repetition. It is even adored in countries where there are no sheep! When we read this Psalm alongside the other texts, it is important to see how it functions not as sentimental reassurance but rather as a declaration of confidence shaped by experience.

Psalm 23 moves fluidly between tranquillity and threat with green pastures and still waters giving way to the "valley of deepest shadow." The psalmist does not deny danger; instead, articulates trust within uncertainty. The turning point comes with the shift from third-person description ("The Lord is my shepherd") to direct address ("for You are with me"), bringing about an intimacy borne out of vulnerability.

In the Season of Lent, the 23^rd Psalm invites us all to reflect on what guides us when clarity is stripped away. The shepherd's rod and staff are instruments of both protection and direction. Comfort, here, is not indulgence but assurance of presence and guidance.

I am constantly struck by how Psalm 23 resists what could be described as ‘transactional theology'. The psalmist never claims that safety is guaranteed by righteousness; rather, goodness and mercy follow persistently. The table prepared "in the presence of enemies" doesn't speak of triumph but sustenance amid tension. In short, God's hospitality does not wait for the world to be put right.

When paired with the healing of the blind man in John 9, Psalm 23 becomes a meditation on trust when a social security system collapse – the shepherd's presence is not removing difficulty; instead, re-framing it.

Psalm 23 could be used powerfully in worship through multiple voices, different musical settings, or silence between verses — allowing its depth to emerge without rushing toward comfort.

Ephesians 5:8-14

This passage offers a call to both identity and conduct: "Once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light." It's important, however, to note that Paul doesn't say that the community of Ephesus lives in darkness, but that they were darkness, thus emphasising the transformation from deep within and not just by acts alone.

Light is not used here as mere, passive enlightenment but rather as an active way of living which exposes both injustice and falsehood. "Take no part" is paired with "expose," suggesting discernment rather than withdrawal. This passage, therefore, resists moral superiority, aiming instead for a communal integrity that's rooted in Christ alone.

The quotation at the end "Sleeper, awake!" is likely an early Christian hymn based on passages from Isaiah and Malachi, reinforcing the idea that worship itself is formative, calling people into new perception.

In preparing this section, (as seen in the opening paragraph) I wrestled with how easily "light" language can be weaponised - used to shame rather than liberate. When one reads this alongside John 9, however, light becomes something that disturbs established power while restoring dignity to those marginalised.

Questions to ponder:

• How does the Church expose darkness without replicating harm?
• What practices help communities remain awake rather than complacent?

John 9:1-41

John 9 is arguably one of the most dramatic narratives in the Gospel — it is not so much a healing story, but rather an exposé of sight, belief, and institutional anxiety. We are presented with a man born blind, who begins unnamed and passive, and yet goes on to become the clearest theological voice in the text. All the while, the religious authorities are moving in the opposite direction from certainty to denial.

Jesus categorically rejects the suggestion that suffering is caused by personal or inherited sin, reframing the man's blindness as a context in which "God's works might be revealed." Jesus is not glorifying suffering; rather, He seeks to reject simplistic moral logic. The healing itself is both earthy and intimate by means of mud, saliva, washing – a rounding transformation in the midst of an embodied encounter.

One thing that fascinated me in this Gospel passage was how this miracle succeeds in destabilising social systems. We read that the man's parents are afraid; the Pharisees are threatened; neighbours are confused. It is disturbing to read that this man's sight costs the healed man his place with his growing clarity leading to expulsion, whilst deepening his encounter with Jesus. It could be said that revelation brings both liberation and loss…

The final exchange in which Jesus names the Pharisees' blindness does not seek to condemn ignorance, but rather, refusal. True blindness the text suggests, is the insistence that one already sees fully!

Some uncomfortable but vital questions to ponder:

• Whose transformation disrupts our comfort?
• When have we prioritised order over justice?

In reading this during the season of Lent, John 9 calls us to be courageous — to take a risk in seeing and being seen in Christ's own light.

Sermon ideas

My approach to a sermon in this week has been to offer a thematic pathway as opposed to a single message and that is ‘Assumption to Recognition'. In each of our readings we are presented with a journey from confident misunderstanding towards a deeper, yet costlier truth.

You could go with something along the lines of "Learning to See Again":
If you start with Samuel's assumption that leadership looks a certain way, echoing in the disciples' question about sin and blindness in John 9, you can go on to reveal how God persistently challenges surface-level judgments. Sight, in these texts, is not about intelligence or authority but openness.

Another angle is "The Cost of Clarity." David's anointing in 1 Samuel isolates him; the healed man is expelled and living as children of light as per Ephesians 5 involves exposure. A sermon along this line could invite reflection on how faithfulness may come with the need to stand apart from dominant narratives.

Other approaches (depending on the context) could involve:

• A guided conversation on experiences of being misjudged
• A dramatic reading of John 9 with multiple voices
• Small-group reflection on Psalm 23, with a particular focus on trust in uncertain seasons

Prayers

Approach

Like the prayers I strive to write for each service, these prayers were shaped by paying close attention to current global and local concerns — especially visibility, justice, and truth-telling. I strive to use language that is invitational and allows space for silence and response.

Call to Worship

We draw near to a loving God,
who meets us not as we imagine we should be,
but rather as we are.

We draw near to God who call us
from shadow into light,
and certainty into wonder.

We draw near to God
asking that our eyes may be opened,
and our seeing shaped by grace.

Gathering Prayer

Loving God,
You are the source of life and light.
You are the One who knows us fully and holds us gently.
You guide us like a shepherd who does not rush us,
walks with us through every valley,
and leads us toward places of rest and renewal.

Lord God,
we thank You that You see beyond appearances
and call out the goodness
which You have planted within us.

We praise You for your patience with us,
for Your steady love,
and for the hope You keep placing before us,
even when we lose sight of it ourselves.

And yet, when we pause in Your presence,
we recognise how easily we fall short…

(Pause)

Lord of light and truth,
we confess that we often prefer comfort to honesty,
familiar stories to grace that challenge us.
Forgive us when we fail to see our neighbour,
or turn away from truths that unsettle us.
Awaken us again…

(Pause)

Forgive us when we make quick judgments
rather than listening carefully;
when we cling to what feels safe
instead of trusting where You are leading;
when we overlook those on the edges
or stay silent when love calls us to speak.

Open our eyes, gracious God.
Help us to see one another as You see us —
with compassion, dignity, and hope.
Renew us by Your mercy,
reshape us by Your love,
and lead us forward in the light of Christ.
Amen.

Prayer for Others / Intercession

God of compassion and truth,
You gather Your people
as a parent gathers their children,
holding us with tenderness and strength.
On this Sunday in Lent, when light breaks gently into our journey,
we pray for our world, our communities, and all who long for Your healing presence.

We pray for those whose voices are dismissed,
whose stories are doubted,
whose lives are shaped by exclusion or fear.
Bring light where there is injustice,
courage where there is silence,
hope where there is weariness.

We remember all who feel unseen —
those sidelined by poverty, prejudice, or circumstance;
those living with illness, disability, or unrelenting pain;
those whose struggles are hidden behind closed doors
or carried quietly in the heart.
May Your light reveal the truth of their dignity
and surround them with care that restores.

We pray for families of every shape and story,
for those who rejoice today
and those who find Mothering Sunday difficult —
those who have lost mothers or children,
those who long for relationships that never came to be,
those whose homes have not been places of nurture or safety.
Gather each one into Your compassion,
and help Your Church to be a community
where all can belong, be honoured, and be held.

We pray for places where conflict overshadows hope,
where leaders cling to power rather than peace,
where people are forced to flee homes, futures, and familiar ground.
Strengthen peacemakers and truth-tellers;
protect the vulnerable;
and stir in us a longing for justice that reflects Your heart.

We pray for Your Church —
for all seeking clarity, courage, and renewed sight.
Where we have been slow to recognise Your movement,
open our eyes;
where we have feared the cost of honesty,
give us boldness;
where our love has grown weary,
rekindle Your light within us.

Loving God,
as we continue to walk the pathway to Easter,
may Your transforming light guide our steps
and may Your steadfast mercy sustain us,
that we may reflect Your grace
in all we pray, all we say,
all we hope, and all we do.
Amen.

Blessing

May the Lord Jesus Christ,
the Light of the world,
open your eyes to truth,
strengthen your heart for the journey,
and lead you in love.

And may the blessing of almighty God,
the Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer
guide you and affirm you
today and always.

Amen

Musical suggestions

God Welcomes All (GWA) is the new supplement to Church Hymnary Fourth Edition. This exciting new collection features over 200 hymns and songs in a wide range of styles by writers from Scotland and around the world.

The full music and words-only versions are now available; and digital resources, including the expansion of the existing Church of Scotland music website, will be published in due course, with streaming functions and further information on each song; backing tracks; and lyric videos. God Welcomes All is available to order from here

Our online music resource is on the Church of Scotland website; you can listen to samples of every song in the Church Hymnary 4th edition (CH4) and download a selection of recordings for use in worship. You will also find playlists for this week and liturgical seasons and themes on the Weekly Worship and Inspire Me tabs.

You can find further musical suggestions for this week in a range of styles on the Songs for Sunday blog from Trinity College Glasgow.

• GWA 202 – "God, may our church reflect Your grace" - Written by the late Ruth Duck, this is a wonderful opening hymn - a prayer for wisdom and courage, which aligns well with the call to live as children of light.
• GWA 112 – "Today we bring our thankful hearts" - alternative view for Mothering Sunday

• GWA 113 – "God, we praise your for the women" - alternative view for Mothering Sunday
• GWA166 – "Jesus, you have called us: ‘come, follow me" – to sit alongside the reading from Ephesians

• GWA 48 – "Let our praise be your welcome"

• CH4 14 – "The Lord's My Shepherd" (Crimmond) – A familiar setting of Psalm 23 that resonates deeply with the day's theme of trust and guidance.

• CH4 624 – "In Christ There is No East or West" – An affirming, inclusive hymn which challenges boundaries shaped by fear or prejudice, which can be sung to the tune of ‘Amazing Grace'

• MP 1008 – "Psalm 23" (Townend and Getty) - Another much loved version of the 23^rd Psalm, which has the very appropriate refrain ‘And I'll trust in you alone…'

A suggested playlist of songs from CH4 throughout Lent can be found on the Church of Scotland website.

Reflecting on our worship practice

Since the start of the pandemic in 2020, the way we worship has changed and we need to reflect on the changing or newly established patterns that emerged and continue to emerge as a result of the disruption.

We can facilitate worship for all by exploring imaginative approaches to inclusion, participation and our use of technologies in ways that suit our contexts. This is not an exhaustive list, but some things we could consider are:

• Framing various parts of the worship service in accessible language to help worshippers understand the character and purpose of each part. This is essential for creating worship for all (intergenerational worship) that reflects your community of faith.
• Holding spaces for reflection and encouraging prayer to be articulated in verbal and non-verbal ways, individually and in online breakout rooms.
• In online formats the effective use of the chat function and microphone settings encourages active participation in prayer, e.g. saying the Lord's Prayer together unmuted, in a moment of ‘holy chaos'.
• While singing in our congregations is still restricted, we can worship corporately by using antiphonal psalm readings, creeds and participative prayers.
• Using music and the arts as part of the worship encourages the use of imagination in place of sung or spoken words.
• Use of silence, sensory and kinaesthetic practices allow for experience and expression beyond regular audio and visual mediums.

The following questions might help you develop a habit of reflecting on how we create and deliver content and its effectiveness and impact, and then applying what we learn to develop our practice.

• How inclusive was the worship?
  Could the worship delivery and content be described as worship for all/ intergenerational?
  Was it sensitive to different "Spiritual Styles"?
• How was the balance between passive and active participation?
• How were people empowered to connect with or encounter God?
  What helped this?
  What hindered this?
• How cohesive was the worship?
  Did it function well as a whole?
  How effective was each of the individual elements in fulfilling its purpose?
• How balanced was the worship?
  What themes/topics/doctrines/areas of Christian life were included?
• How did the worship connect with your context/contemporary issues?
  Was it relevant in the everyday lives of those attending and in the wider parish/ community?
  How well did the worship connect with local and national issues?
  How well did the worship connect with world events/issues?
• What have I learned that can help me next time I plan and deliver worship?

Useful links

You can listen to samples of every song in the Church Hymnary 4th edition (CH4) and download a selection of recordings for use in worship in our online hymnary.

You are free to download, project, print and circulate multiple copies of any of this material for use in worship services, bible studies, parish magazines, etc., but reproduction for commercial purposes is not permitted.

Please note that the views expressed in these materials are those of the individual writer and not necessarily the official view of the Church of Scotland, which can be laid down only by the General Assembly.