4th Sunday of Lent
Today is the Fourth Sunday of Lent, known as Laetare Sunday, because the entrance antiphon invites us to rejoice. At this halfway point, we are invited to be joyful! We may ask why we are rejoicing in this season of penitential practice. The readings give us a clue to the reason for rejoicing.
At this midway point, we may realize that the enthusiasm for prayer, fasting, and almsgiving has not been sustained, and we may feel we are not living up to our commitments. As we listen to Samuel’s reading, we may be more sympathetic to the failures of the princes and people of Ju\dah. But it also opens us to the cause for rejoicing. Despite–or maybe because of their failures–the Lord reaches out and, through Cyrus, brings them home to a renewal of the Covenant.
As individuals and a human family, we have often preferred the darkness to the light. Wars, destruction of the earth, refusal to accept refugees, distrust of one another, and so much more put us into darkness. And yet we are assured that God so loved the world he sent His only Son not to condemn us but to save us. This saving love is always a gift!
We do not achieve this on our own doing.
We are invited to live the truth and come into the light! Each Eucharist reminds us of God’s saving love. Through the Word, which tells his story of embracing us repeatedly. Through the sacrifice of his Body being broken for us, we might be fed and sustained on our journey. And through our coming together in community, we help each other rejoice in this incredible love.
How are my Lenten practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving making room in my heart for rejoicing in God’s love?
Let us Pray:
Good and Gracious God, we ask you to send your Spirit into our hearts so that we may experience the fullness of your merciful love during these final weeks of Lent. May that realization lead us to a profound gratitude expressed in acceptance of and service to others. Amen.
