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March 12, 2021Reflection: The Fourth Week of Lent
Laetare Sunday is the name given to the Fourth Sunday in Lent. Laetare means "Rejoice" in Latin and is used in the entrance antiphon which introduces the Mass by proclaiming the proper prayer of the day -- "Laetare, Jerusalem" ("Rejoice, O Jerusalem"). . .
Rejoice, O Jerusalem: and come together all you that love her: rejoice with joy you that have been in sorrow: that you may exult, and be filled from the breasts of your consolation. (Isaiah 66: 10-11)
Why rejoice in the middle of Lent? Pope Francis proclaims that the faithful rejoice in the Lenten Season as we are given a sacred time to experience deeply God’s gifts of love and mercy. He proclaims that as we approach Easter we are offered the opportunity to open our hearts to the Lord’s gifts bringing salvation and thus, joy. In the plan of salvation, the Lord’s Resurrection frees us from all that binds us. We are made new from our suffering and struggles including our sinfulness. We rejoice in the hope and knowledge of Resurrection.
In his Address from the Vatican on April 3, 2011, Pope Benedict placed the reason for rejoicing within the context of the human condition by stating . . . “Laetare Sunday,” invites us to rejoice and be glad . . .. What is the profound reason for this joy? In John’s Gospel, Jesus heals a man blind from birth. It tells us. . . that man recognizes the sign that Jesus works and passes from the light of the eyes to the light of faith: ‘I believe, Lord’ (John 9:38 ). . . The Lord Jesus is ‘the light of the world’ (John 8:12) . . . When we let our life be illumined by the light of Christ, we experience the joy of being liberated from all that threatens our life’s complete fulfillment.”
For all of us, our Lenten journey does not need to be one of fear or sorrow, but one of amazement and awe as we move from darkness to light, death to new life . . .
Our repentant and self-reflective actions during these past three weeks in no way diminish the joyful character of God in our lives. How has your faith brought joy to your life?
Continued Lenten blessings,
Fr. John