As We Approach Easter, We Draw Closer to the Light Who Is Christ

Adeladius Makwega – Mbagala

On the morning of March 15, 2026, Mwanakwetu goes to Sunday Mass at the Small Rosmini Church in Lushoto Town, in Lushoto Parish, within the Catholic Diocese of Tanga, Tanzania.

As he heads to this Mass, which begins at 7:30 a.m. every Sunday, the weather in this town located in the northeastern part of Tanzania was 21°C, with a 84% chance of rain, 30% humidity, and wind blowing at 3 km per hour.

This Mass was attended by about 22 novices, three nuns, two other faithful, and one priest who presided, identified as Fr. Thomas Akello.

The Mass began with all three readings proclaimed very well, and the responsorial psalm was Psalm 23. After that, Fr. Akello began his homily. He first sounded what could be called a pastoral call to his faithful, saying:

“Why the time we do not sing Hallelujah as if we lack enthusiasm? Don’t we have an alternative? If that is the case, today I will give you one. Do you know this song?

‘This Word, brothers and sisters, is the Word of Salvation—truly good news. This Word calls you—the Word of Salvation, truly good news. Days are passing, think about it my friend…They are passing—this Word calls you, the Word of Salvation, truly good news.’”

After finishing this song, which is among the older hymns of the Church, Fr. Akello moved to the core of his homily for the Fourth Sunday of Lent. He explained that the Lenten season is a time for Christians to study the teachings of Christianity deeply, because after baptism we must grow in understanding our faith.

He said that we renew the promises of our baptism, remembering that all of us are born as if blind, which is why when we speak about Christ, we speak about Light.

“As we approach Easter, we draw closer to the Light who is Christ.”

Fr. Akello explained that human life is full of challenges, but these challenges have a purpose:

“Suffering has the quality of purification, so that Christ may be revealed. At the same time, sin should lead us to confession. A novice is expected to go to confession every month, while the laws of the Church require every Christian to confess at least once a year.”

After leaving the church, Mwanakwetu also listened to a homily by Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, the head of Propaganda Fide in the Catholic Church, the Vatican office responsible for the evangelization of peoples. Cardinal Tagle said:

“We are in the Fourth Sunday of Lent, and today’s Gospel tells the well-known story of Jesus healing a man who had been blind from birth. After Jesus healed him, the disciples asked:

‘Rabbi, who sinned—this man or his parents—that he was born blind?’

Jesus answered: ‘Neither this man nor his parents sinned. But through him the works of God will be revealed.’

Then Jesus made mud, placed it on the man’s eyes, and told him to wash in the Pool of Siloam. The healing caused different reactions.

His neighbors were surprised but became curious about Jesus. The Pharisees questioned the man and even his parents. And look, brothers and sisters: the man who can now see, yet is mocked by the Jews, becomes the one teaching the experts of the Law about God.

We know that God does not listen to sinners. But if someone worships God and does His will, God listens to him. Never has it been heard that someone opened the eyes of a man born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.

So how do we respond to God’s work revealed through ordinary people who seem unimportant? Do we ignore it, or do we welcome it? Do we believe that God can reveal Himself through people and situations we do not expect?

God’s glory was truly revealed through the man who had been blind, because within him was born a faith that did not need physical sight. He believed even before seeing with his eyes the Son of Man who healed him.”

After listening to Cardinal Tagle’s reflection, Mwanakwetu decided to prepare this article.

What does Mwanakwetu say today?

These are only a few of the many reflections gathered from this Sunday. I am sure that you too, my fellow Christian, heard other insights in the homilies of this Sunday, March 15, 2026.

This article is only a small reflection for this Sunday, as your brother Mwanakwetu was able to prepare.

Mwanakwetu, are you there? Remember:

“As we approach Easter, we draw closer to the Light who is Christ.”

I wish you a good day.

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