A Reflection for Sunday, March 16 by Klamesha P. Richards
Lectionary reading for 03/16/2025: Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18; Psalm 27; Philippians 3:17-4:1; Luke 13:31-35
Selected passage for reflection: Psalm 27:1-14
Read
Psalm 27:1-2, 13-14
"The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall, I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid? [...] I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord." NIV
Reflect
Growing up on the South Side of Chicago, I learned early that fear and faith often dance together in the shadows of our lives. Fear of being different, fear of becoming a statistic, fear of what the future will hold. This psalm speaks to me deeply because it acknowledges both our human fears and our divine source of courage.
As an educator working with diverse communities, I've witnessed countless students face their own shadows—whether it's the uncertainty of being the first in their family to attend college, the weight of cultural expectations, or the daily challenges of navigating spaces where they feel unseen. Like the psalmist, they too must find their light in the darkness.
What strikes me most about this passage is its raw honesty. The writer doesn't pretend that fear doesn't exist; instead, they reframe it through the lens of divine protection. "The Lord is my light"—not just a guide, but source itself. In the face of uncertainty, this isn't just spiritual poetry—it's a survival strategy.
The closing verses particularly resonate: "I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living." This isn't about waiting for some distant heavenly reward. It's about finding hope in the here and now, in the midst of our messy, beautiful, challenging lives. As someone who works in Mission Integration, I'm constantly reminded that our faith must be lived out in the present moment, finding God in everything, in how we treat each other, in how we build community, in how we face our fears together.
The command to "wait for the Lord" isn't passive—it's an active stance of courage and resilience. It's about standing firm when everything within us wants to run, about believing in the light even when the shadows seem overwhelming.
Respond
Today, identify one fear that's holding you back. Write it down, then beside it, write "The Lord is my light." Choose one concrete action that moves you from fear toward
faith—whether that's reaching out to someone different from you, speaking up for justice, or simply taking the next right step in your journey.
Rest
Divine Light,
Shine on our paths when darkness threatens to overwhelm. Give us courage to face our fears, wisdom to wait with purpose, and faith to see Your goodness in the land of the living. Help us be light-bearers for others who walk in shadow.
Amen.
About the Author
Klamesha P. Richards serves as Associate Director of Ignatian Spirituality at Loyola University Chicago, where she transforms programs to foster belonging among faculty and staff. A South Side Chicago native with degrees from Northern Michigan University and Wheaton College, she brings her passion for all things Disney, travel, spiritual formation, and multicultural education to her work in Mission Integration.
This reflection is part of a series called Prayerful Reflections: A Daily Devotional for Lent 2025. Join us on the blog each day for a new reflection from a different writer, or download the pdf of the entire devotional by clicking the link.
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